Dolphins hire Linehan as offensive coordinator

By Hugo Guzman  |   Thursday, January 20, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Miami Dolphins
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
Scott Linehan agreed to a three-year contract with the Miami Dolphins to be their offensive coordinator, leaving the Minnesota Vikings without one.

In three seasons in Minnesota, Linehan oversaw one of the league's best offenses. The Vikings ranked second in the NFL in 2002, first in 2003 and fourth in 2004 in total yardage.

Though Linehan wouldn't divulge specific terms of his deal, he's believed to be getting a significant raise. Minnesota has one of the lowest-paid coaching staffs in the league.

After interviewing with new Miami coach Nick Saban, Linehan decided the security offered by Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga was too attractive to pass up. Saban, who led LSU to a co-national championship in 2003, was given a five-year contract.

"He's hired a new coach and given him a very good basis to retool here," Linehan said by phone from Florida, "and they're going to give him time to get it done."

Linehan and his wife, Kristen, have three sons -- Matthew, 10, Michael, 8, and Marcus, 4.

Vikings coach Mike Tice, who gave Linehan his first chance to coach in the NFL in 2002, is only under contract through next season. Owner Red McCombs also has the team on the market, and the uncertainty surrounding the franchise was a concern for Linehan.

"There's nothing there that's stable," he said. "Unfortunately that's the business we're in."

Though Miami went an AFC-worst 4-12 last season and ranked 29th in the league in total offense, the environment is clearly less volatile.

"This is a commitment from the very top all the way down," Linehan said.

Linehan was Saban's first choice for filling the job, but he had to wait until the Vikings' season was over. They lost 27-14 in Philadelphia to the Eagles in the divisional playoff game Jan. 16.

The work Linehan did as Daunte Culpepper 's quarterbacks coach the last two years -- as well as his history of developing players at that position in college -- was a big reason why he was wanted elsewhere. Linehan canceled an interview with Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio after accepting the Miami job.

Culpepper, who publicly politicked to keep Linehan, set team single-season passing records in yards (4,717), touchdowns (39) and completion percentage (69.2). With Randy Moss and Nate Burleson at wide receiver, a bevy of capable running backs and a Pro Bowler at center in Matt Birk, the Vikings' offensive talent can't currently be matched by the Dolphins.

"While I'm happy today to have a new challenge, I'm about as sad because I'm leaving a great bunch of guys," Linehan said. "I've had the best quarterback in the league to coach."

Linehan, 41, came to Minnesota from the University of Louisville -- where he spent the three previous seasons as the Cardinals' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Tice was unavailable for comment, but Linehan indicated that Vikings offensive line coach Steve Loney is a candidate to replace him as coordinator. Loney was an offensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota in 1998-99 and at Iowa State from 1995-97 and 2000-01.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report