MinnesotaSportsScene.com

There’s a “former” in front of the title of Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin, who is now the deserving head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which means the Vikes are on the lookout for their next defensive coordinator.

While some are lobbying for solid defensive line coach Karl Dunbar to get the promotion and a few even mention linebacker coach Fred Pagac, I have to say that while Dunbar might be OK, I think at the moment, of the names mentioned, the best option is one outside of the organization.

Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove is, by far, the best-qualified choice. He turned down a linebackers position coaching offer from Childress last spring, but offering him a chance to be defensive coordinator could be the lure that lands him.

While each candidate looks into presentation folder printing in preparation for their interview, let’s hope Childress doesn’t pull a Dennis Green and hire the most convenient in-house candidate. Cosgrove is a worthy successor to Tomlin.

In at least one way, the Brad Childress era of the Minnesota Vikings is starting to feel a bit like the tenure of another Vikings coach, Dennis Green. What I mean is this: early in Green’s run, he had a top-performing defensive coordinator who was snatched away for a head coaching spot, ensuring Green remained coach of the Vikings long-term. I’m speaking, of course, about SuperBowl-bound Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.

The Vikings have, ever since, regretted keeping Green and letting Dungy slip through their fingers. Now history is repeating itself as the Pittsburgh Steelers have hired away the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, Mike Tomlin, who many regard as a better coach than Childress; with his departure, many feel Childress has improved his job security with the Vikings.

Of course, Coach Childress had best not leap to looking into the painting costs for redecorating the head coach’s office in his own style; fans are still fairly unforgiving around here and Childress’ debut season with the Vikings had many calling for his head after only one chance.

That’s a bit ridiculous, but next season may already put Coach Childress on the hotseat with the Vikings; after all, firing coaches is becoming pretty trendy in Minnesota lately. In the past month or so, Dan Monson, Glen Mason and Dwayne Casey have all been kicked to the curb.

Could Childress be next?

“We were at a point where was a team we were just treading water,” Wolves GM Kevin McHale told a hastily-assembled press conference Tuesday night, just hours before the President’s State of the Union speech. Call it McHale’s State of the Wolves address.

While President Bush is expected, among other things, to call for Americans to cut oil and gas consumption by 20 percent over the next decade, McHale’s message was simpler: he was cutting the Wolves’ coach halfway through Dwayne Casey’s second season with the team.

Now, without the Wolves to worry about, Coach Casey can look into some Outer Banks rentals as he awaits his next chance to coach in the NBA. Certainly, that would be easier than looking into ways to improve a team loaded down with bad contracts like those given to Eddie Griffin, Marko Jaric and Troy Hudson.

Stepping into his place is Randy Wittman, who seemed destined to become the next Wolves head coach since he was brought back to the team as a first assistant during the off-season. Wittman began his NBA career as a Wolves assistant under Flip Saunders and has coached the Cleveland Cavaliers a few years back.

The last 42 games and any possible post-season run will be Wittman’s job interview for a long-term contract. The job’s his to lose, and he will have every chance to do well.

But the biggest roadblock to Wittman’s success remains the same roadblock that Casey faced: ineffective general manager Kevin McHale.

If what ESPN.com is reporting is true, heads need to roll at the University of Minnesota. Like, now. Starting with U of M athletic director Joel Maturi. Because according to a report by ESPN’s Joe Schad, the Gophers AD just blew his first huge hire.

This may prove false - according to local media, the U of M denies that anyone has been hired yet. But if the ESPN report is accurate, Denver Broncos tight end coach Tim Brewster will be the next Golden Gophers head football coach.

WHAT?

The main problem with hiring Brewster is that the man’s never been a head coach at the college or the pro level. Never! Not once! He’s ALWAYS been a position coach. Pretty much always a tight end coach!

Now, if Brewster were the best guy interested in the position, I’d have no problem with this, but it’s very clear he’s not. Minnesota has had plenty of interest from many coaches that are more experienced and far better fits.

Like Lane Kiffin. Like Gary Barnett. Like Gary Patterson. Like Skip Holtz, Frank Solich and even Craig Bohl! There have been loads of better candidates for the Gophers football job. I mean, did Maturi lose the business cards of all these guys and just grab the only one he could find? It’s a ridiculous choice!

And they go with a career tight end coach? Maturi should be fired on the spot for this one!

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a well-publicized logjam at guard this year and, weighted down but long-term contracts with folks undeserving of them, the problem has become one big headache for GM Kevin McHale, whose long-term future with the team is in doubt given he’s the man behind these and numerous other bad deals for the team.

But instead of a dose of Fioricet, McHale may be able to relieve two of the team’s headaches sooner than later, thanks to some recent developments. First, team lack-of-character character Eddie Griffin, who hasn’t played in 14-15 games, has been suspended - again - for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

The other big break for the Wolves is that dead-weight PG/SG/SF/call him what you will, Marko Jaric, is asking for a trade. Hallelujah! Jaric’s unhappy with his role and his playing time. So are the Wolves. It’s a mismatch made in heaven, now that he’s asking for a trade. The biggest question is, is there anyone out there in the NBA as dopey as McHale, who will be willing to take on Jaric’s hefty contract and his lack of productivity.

That kind of lunacy might be hard to find, unless McHale becomes GM somewhere else. But that’s the future. For now, the Wolves should move quickly to kick Griffin to the curb and trade away Marko “Migraine” Jaric. While it wouldn’t help all the team’s bad contract problems, it would be a great start.

Dan Monson, the underachieving Gophers men’s hoop coach? Gone. Check.

Glen Mason, the solid but incapable of a championship Gophers football coach? Gone. Check.

So, where will the Gophers turn now? With Monson and Mason sitting on the sidelines, contemplating their next move, (like maybe investing in Orlando condos, for example, while waiting for another program to latch on to them), the question for the maroon and gold is, who will replace them?

Sure, Monson and Mason were disappointments, but the trick is finding someone better who’ll actually accept the job. Now, Tony Dungy’s name has been tossed out there for the football job, but he’s already said that’s a nonstarter with him.

So, who’s a more realistic possibility? Let’s start with Gophers football:

1) Mike Shula. Sure, he’s mostly coached southern teams, but he has an excellent coaching pedigree despite a down year in at Alabama.

2) Terry Bowden. Ditto, only more so. Bowden’s actually available, to boot, working currently at the Westwood One radio network. Sign him! He’s been out of the game since 1998, but perhaps a Big 10 spot would be the trick to lure him back. He’s run clean programs with respectable academic standards, also.

3) Paul Chryst. Knowing the guy doing the hiring always helps, and the Badgers usually do well offensively.

4) Craig Bohl. The NDSU coach could be ready for a D1 job, considering how the 33-11 coach schooled the Gophers this season.

5) Frank Solich. The Ohio coach is a big winner, and we wouldn’t have to play against his teams anymore if we hired him.

6) Skip Holtz. Hey, anytime you can lure a Holtz to Minnesota…

7) Gary Barnett. He wants back into coaching and this is a Big 10 job.

Now, on to the Gophers hoops job:

1) Flip Saunders. Ideal candidate, but of course there’s the problem that he already has the Pistons job.

2) Rick Majerus. Next-most-ideal candidate. Minnesota would win under him, too.

3) Trent Tucker. A personal favorite of mine. The man knows hoops and is a Gophers grad.

4) Randy Wittman. If you can’t get Flip, hire a disciple. Only trouble is, if the Wolves continue to struggle, he may replace Dwayne Casey.

5) Tony Bennett. The Washington State coach upset Gonzaga this season, he has Midwest ties and is a winner.

6) Jim Molinari. The interim guy isn’t doing bad…

7) Ernie Kent. The Oregon coach may be let go soon, because even though he wins games, he’s seen as a roadblock to a stadium issue out there. The Gophs are set on that front, so why not get a winning guy like this?