Frazier’s quest for head coach continues

Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is continuing his quest to become a head coach in the NFL, with another interview scheduled for Thursday.

Leslie Frazier continues to be on the move in search of a potential head-coaching job. After being acknowledged as one of two finalists for the head coaching job in Denver before losing out to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Frazier continues to log in some significant air miles.

Frazier spent Tuesday in Los Angeles interviewing with the Rams, where he is one of five known candidates – joining interim coach Jim Haslett, Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Frazier is scheduled to return to Detroit tomorrow for a second interview for the vacancy for the Lions head-coaching position.

The Lions have been busy in their own interviewing process. Miami assistant Todd Bowles interviewed yesterday and Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is scheduled to meet with team officials today. The Lions have also expressed an interest in Spagnuolo and Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Unlike the Denver job, where the candidates were almost evenly split between offensive and defensive-minded coaches, the Detroit position seems to be centering primarily on coaches with a defensive background.

With the college all-star games around the corner and free agency about six weeks away, there is a sense of urgency in getting deals done, so expect to see the teams with coaching vacancies to start moving quickly to fill those openings.

WEDNESDAY NOTES

In a statement concerning the retirement of Tony Dungy, Frazier said, “He meant so much to me personally as a friend, a brother, a mentor and, at times, a father figure. Our friendship will live on forever, but I’m sad to see him go. I’m saddened for the loss to our game, but at the same time I’m happy for him.”

Frazier worked under Dungy in Indianapolis before coming to Minnesota and remains friends with him.

The Chiefs have yet to make any determination on the future of head coach Herm Edwards, but the hiring of Scott Pioli as their general manager doesn’t exactly bode well for Edwards’ future with the team.

If Edwards is fired, there is word that Pioli may interview a college coach or two for the open spot – something that hasn’t been done in the most recent batches of interviews. The only college head coach to interview for an NFL head job this year was Jeff Jagodzinski of Boston College when he interviewed with the Jets – and he was fired as a result. The NFL, apparently burned by the defections of Nick Saban and Bobby Petrino back to the college game after briefly coaching in the NFL, has seemingly imposed a moratorium on interviewing college coaches for a while.

Fans have until midnight tomorrow to go to the NFL’s official website to vote for the FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Year. Adrian Peterson is one of three finalists for the Ground Player of the Year, along with Michael Turner of Atlanta and DeAngelo Williams of Carolina.