Vikes Special teams? They're the best...

[Mothman]

I wonder how long Mike Priefer will remain an ST coach. He seems to have a pretty level head on his shoulders, speaks well at press conferences, is fairly young. He's coached special teams since 1996, so maybe that's all he wants to do. I'd be curious to know whether or not he has greater ambitions. Seems that a guy who can get great performances out of a fairly disparate group of players plugged into ST roles would be a good candidate for a head coaching job.

He just interviewed for the Bears job so that suggests he's interested in being a head coach.

[losperros]

He just interviewed for the Bears job so that suggests he's interested in being a head coach.

Then it sounds as if the handwriting is on the wall. I wonder if he'll even be with the Vikings next season. I'd like to see the Vikings keep him.

[dead_poet]

Then it sounds as if the handwriting is on the wall. I wonder if he'll even be with the Vikings next season. I'd like to see the Vikings keep him.

I'm curious how many special teams coaches jump immediately to head coach. My guess is that number is historically low. We'll see about some kind of coordinator, but he doesn't have that experience that I'm aware of. He's certainly done a fine job and deserves other opportunities if they come, but I wouldn't be surprised if he hangs around for a couple more years.

[losperros]

I'm curious how many special teams coaches jump immediately to head coach. My guess is that number is historically low. We'll see about some kind of coordinator, but he doesn't have that experience that I'm aware of. He's certainly done a fine job and deserves other opportunities if they come, but I wouldn't be surprised if he hangs around for a couple more years.

Good point about a special teams coach probably not catapulting to a head coach job. I wonder if Mike Priefer has ever been anything but a special teams coach. Did he offensive or defensive coordinate for a college team, maybe? I'm hoping the Vikings hang onto him. The special teams was the team's only consistent unit throughout the season.

[S197]

Did he offensive or defensive coordinate for a college team, maybe?

Nope.

http://coachingroots.com/football/coaches/mike-priefer

[J. Kapp 11]

I'm curious how many special teams coaches jump immediately to head coach. My guess is that number is historically low. We'll see about some kind of coordinator, but he doesn't have that experience that I'm aware of. He's certainly done a fine job and deserves other opportunities if they come, but I wouldn't be surprised if he hangs around for a couple more years.

John Harbaugh came close. Was special teams coach for the Eagles for nine years, then coached the DBs for one season before getting the Ravens HC job. It wasn't a direct jump, but he also didn't ever serve as a coordinator. It's pretty rare.

[Mothman]

Mike Ditka may be the most prominent example of a ST coach who became a head coach.

[dead_poet]

Mike Ditka may be the most prominent example of a ST coach who became a head coach.

Not applicable. Ditka can do anything. http://www.hulu.com/watch/4171

[PurpleMustReign]

Not applicable. Ditka can do anything. http://www.hulu.com/watch/4171

LMAO... classic!

[Mothman]

Not applicable. Ditka can do anything. http://www.hulu.com/watch/4171

Good point!