Former Vikings coach Leslie Frazier could have taken 2014 off, with full pay. Instead, he’s heading to Tampa -- where he’ll essentially be working for free.
The Buccaneers have named Frazier the team’s new defensive coordinator. He joins offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford as the top two lieutenants on Lovie Smith’s staff.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Leslie Frazier and I consider myself very fortunate to have him on my staff,” Smith said in a team-issued release. “Leslie is one of the best defensive coaches in the NFL and he has a long track record of helping players reach their full potential. He transformed Minnesota’s defense into one of the league’s elite units during his time there and I look forward to working with him to do the same here in Tampa Bay.”
Under contract with the Vikings for the next season, Minnesota will get a dollar-for-dollar credit for any amounts earned by Frazier coaching in Tampa.
Frazier spent seven seasons with the Vikings, arriving in 2007 as defensive coordinator and becoming interim head coach during the 2010 season. Frazier was hired to be the head coach in 2011.
Frazier previously worked for the Colts, Bengals, and Eagles after spending 11 years as a college coach. Frazier spent six seasons as a defensive back with the Bears, and he was a member of the 1985 NFL championship team, regarded by many as one of the best defenses ever.