Vikings set to announce new coach

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - The Minnesota Vikings called a news conference Thursday to announce their new coach, with interim coach Mike Tice the leading candidate. <br> <br> Tice emerged this week as the likely replacement for Dennis Green, who was forced out last week with the Vikings heading toward the worst finish in his 10-year tenure. <br> <br> Owner Red McCombs said Tuesday that Tice, the offensive line coach, headed a list of possible successors. Tice led the Vikings in their final game Monday, a 19-3 loss at Baltimore that capped a 5-11 season. <br> <br> As acting head coach, Tice met with Green that day to talk about operational issues and a restructuring, and was the person who informed four assistants that day that they wouldn&#39;t be retained. <br> <br> Among the other names floated as the Vikings&#39; possible next coach were Tampa Bay&#39;s Tony Dungy and University of Texas coach Mack Brown. But McCombs said that Brown wasn&#39;t a candidate, and he said there weren&#39;t any candidates involved in the playoffs for whom the team would wait, which would rule out Dungy. <br> <br> Tice, 42, is popular among many Vikings, and some free agents said his hiring would be a reason to re-sign. <br> <br> ``He&#39;s a guy everyone respects,&#39;&#39; tight end Byron Chamberlain said Tuesday. ``Not just the offensive linemen, but everyone. The way he prepares himself and the preparation he puts in is incredible.&#39;&#39; <br>