Dick Jauron, the Vikings' next defensive coordinator?

Should the Minnesota Vikings hire Dick Jauron as a special assistant defensive coach, and heir apparent to Leslie Frazier? The Vikings don't especially need another defensive coach this year, but if Leslie Frazier leaves, the Vikings might do well to have his successor as defensive coordinator on staff in Dick Jauron.

Frazier is doing a very good job. While Jauron could conceivably help out Leslie Frazier this year, Frazier doesn't need much help at this time. The red zone defense, points allowed, and rushing defense are good this year. While interceptions are few, tackling has been spotty at times, and coverage has been soft on occasion, the defense has remained solid overall. Frazier has this defense doing the right things.

Frazier could take a head coaching job elsewhere. Frazier interviewed for head coaching positions last year, but surprisingly was not offered a job as head coach.  It is very likely that Leslie Frazier will be a head coach on another team next year. From the Vikings perspective, losing good coordinators has happened before when Tony Dungy, Brian Billick, Scott Linehan, and Mike Tomlin took head coaching or coordinator jobs elsewhere. It can be difficult to find a coordinator who can fill the shoes of a great one. While the Vikings did find Frazier to replace Tomlin, there might not be another DC of Leslie Frazier's caliber available if the Vikings wait too long. Of course, the preference would be to keep Frazier as defensive coordinator if that is possible.

The Vikings do have assistant coaches who might do well as the Vikings' next defensive coordinator, should Frazier depart. Karl Dunbar (defensive line) and Fred Pagac (linebackers) have both been talked about in this regard. Neither have experience as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, however. They might not be ready.

Let's consider that the Vikings would hire Dick Jauron as a special assistant defensive coach at this time. Jauron would report to Frazier and act as another set of eyes for Frazier, but might not have extensive responsibilities this year. Frazier would decide what he would like Jauron to do. Meanwhile, Jauron would start to become familiar with the Vikings' players and coaching staff. Jauron could trade ideas with Frazier if Frazier wanted to. As part of Jauron's contract, the Vikings could allow Jauron to leave if he is not made DC within a few months time.

Jauron's future is up in the air. Dick Jauron has been fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. As a head coach, Jauron's career winning percentage is a low .423. Based on that number, he most likely will not be hired as a head coach in the NFL next year. Jauron could become a head coach in the college ranks. It is not known what he wishes to do next.

As a defensive coordinator, Dick Jauron has done very well. In terms of defensive philosophy (ESPN.com), he uses the 4-3 defense with zone coverage, including Cover-2, and zone blitzing. This meshes with the Vikings. He doesn't like to blitz much, preferring to rely on his front four to generate pressure. Jauron is less blitz-oriented than Frazier. In any case, with his successful track record, Jauron will probably find a job as a defensive coordinator somewhere in the NFL next year.

It is highly likely that Frazier will land a head coaching job after this season. As the Vikings' defense has slowly improved this year, even while missing Antoine Winfield for the past few games, Leslie Frazier has been the subject of more and more talk as a head coaching candidate in the NFL. There will be a few head coaching jobs opening up around the league. The Bills will consider whether they will keep their new interim head coach, Perry Fewell. To speculate, other teams that might have openings include the Browns, Raiders, and Redskins.

By waiting, the Vikings might miss out on an opportunity to hire an experienced defensive coordinator. Suppose that the Vikings make the playoffs, and win in the playoffs. By the time the Vikings have completed their postseason run, the teams that had fired their head coaches and/or defensive coordinators after the regular season may have already hired Dick Jauron and other experienced defensive coordinators.

Consider the following scenario. Suppose that the Browns fire their entire coaching staff after the regular season. Assume they quickly hire a new head coach. That new head coach interviews Dick Jauron for the DC position and hires him on the spot. A similar process occurs on other teams, and other experienced defensive coordinators are snapped up. Then, let's say, weeks later the Vikings complete their postseason run.  At that point, Leslie Frazier interviews with another team and takes a head coaching job. The Vikings might then have limited options to select from for their next defensive coordinator.

Should the Vikings consider hiring Dick Jauron now? Frazier might like to continue being the Vikings' defensive coordinator. On the other hand, he did take interviews for head coaching jobs last year. Maybe there are signs that Dunbar or Pagac is ready for the DC job. Assuming that Jauron would be a good option for DC for next year, bringing in a new face now would raise questions of chemistry. The Vikings have good chemistry and wouldn't want to change that up. There are also questions of continuity and whether assistant coaches can be retained. Dunbar and Pagac in particular are very good assistant coaches. Other teams might eventually consider them as defensive coordinators if the Vikings keep doing well. It would be best to keep Dunbar and Pagac on the Vikings.

It might be a good idea to bring Dick Jauron in now as a special assistant coach, with the intention of making him the heir apparent at defensive coordinator.

What do you think?