Two Former Minnesota Vikings Get NFL Coaching Jobs

by Christopher Gates on Feb 8, 2011 9:55 PM CST in Minnesota Vikings

Two former members of the Minnesota Vikings are in the news today as coaches. . .and one of them is definitely more surprising than the other.

The first one is linebacker Greg Biekert, who was the middle linebacker for the Vikings in the first couple of years of the Mike Tice era, being promoted to linebackers coach with the Oakland Raiders. He had been hired prior to last season as a "defensive assistant." Biekert, a seventh-round pick out of the University of Colorado in the 1993 NFL Draft, spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Raiders before coming to the Vikings in 2002 and 2003 to finish out his career.

This isn't terribly surprising, as Biekert was known as a very cerebral player during his time in the National Football League. The fact that he's started to move up in the coaching ranks is hardly a surprise.

The one that is surprising, on the other hand, is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named another former Viking as their co-defensive line coach. . .that being Keith "My Arms Are More Powerful Than Your Guns" Millard.

Millard, who was voted one of the Top 50 Vikings of all time, was selected by the team with the 13th overall pick in the 1984 NFL Draft out of Washington State, and played one season in the USFL with the Jacksonville Bulls before coming to Minnesota. He still holds the NFL record for sacks in a season by a defensive tackle with the 18 he racked up in 1989. He was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in that 1989 season, and was also named to the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team.

More surprisingly. . .to me, anyway. . .this isn't Millard's first coaching job. He has also been on the sidelines with the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. . .Millard just never struck me as the coaching type, that's all.

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This is a warning to...

All the Carl’s Jr restaurants in the Tampa Bay area!! Millard is in town… secure your drive thrus.

I BELIEVE...

by ArizonaVikingsFan on Feb 8, 2011 9:58 PM CST reply actions

LOL!!

by abba7 on Feb 9, 2011 12:51 AM CST up reply actions

I feel sorry for Biekert going to Oakland. I feel sorry for anybody that has to go to that place. That is where careers die

by GoldenGopherz on Feb 9, 2011 8:35 AM CST reply actions

Biekert

He was an excellent special teamer…plus every time he made a tackle on kick coverage, I giggled to myself as I thought about this guy:

Biekert/Beeker! Get it?

Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota

by Eric J. Thompson on Feb 9, 2011 9:01 AM CST up reply actions

True, but...

Biekert probably has some fond memories. Raiders were the team that took a chance on him and subsequently gave him contract extension(s) to where he had an actual career.

That and Undead Al Davis has to lose the “un” at some point, and the franchise can then move forward and actually become somewhat competitive

by why am i in omaha on Feb 9, 2011 2:03 PM CST up reply actions

MILLARD!!

He was one of my favorite Vikings in my formative years as a Vikings fan. Loved how he played, now I guess we’ll see how he coaches.

Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota

by Eric J. Thompson on Feb 9, 2011 8:59 AM CST reply actions

Right on Keith!!!!

Still one of my favorite Vikings if not my fav of all time. He actually has done great as far as training players for pass rushing and run blocking and alot of people like him. But he’s just done it quietly.

Way to kick ass still after all these years #75!

New coach, new coaching staff, new starting QB. All we need now is a new stadium and all will be well in 2011.

by VikesFaninNM on Feb 9, 2011 9:55 AM CST reply actions

What are you saying that Keith Millard...

… wasn’t a cerebral player?

Keith Millard is an all-time great. As for Vikings tackles, those that I really watched in my adult life, it ranks 1) John Randle 2) Keith Millard. He was just awesome. At his peak I think as good as just about anyone.

I would then think that, with Alan Page, it would be for the Vikings 1) John Randle 2) Alan Page 3) Keith Millard.

Who is fourth? I don’t know. Perhaps one could put Kevin Williams at a distant, distant fourth perhaps… Chris Hovan not even close.

Keith Millard is a stud, anyhow, and his arms are more powerful than guns!

by HammeroftheGods on Feb 9, 2011 2:03 PM CST reply actions

Are you kidding me!!!! Kevin WIlliams is WAYYYYY better then Keith Millard

by GoldenGopherz on Feb 9, 2011 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

Millard was pretty damn good

Had he not had that knee injury and continued producing at the rate he did, he would’ve been a hall of famer.

Dude had 18 sacks as a defensive tackle in 1989, which is ridiculous. Hammer is right that at his peak, Millard was as good as anyone, it’s just that his peak was essentially that one season and then he blew out his knee, but he had a very good career, albeit short.

The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota

See, you think I give a shit. Wrong. In fact, while you talk, I’m thinking; How can I give less of shit? That’s why I look interested."

by Ted Glover on Feb 9, 2011 3:36 PM CST up reply actions

if if’s and but’s were candy and nuts we would all have a merry christmas

what i am saying is that yeah, maybe if he held up health wise he would have produced better numbers. but the fact of the matter is he didn’t, so you can’t sit there and say if he did this, and if this didnt happen. i’m just going by reality

by GoldenGopherz on Feb 9, 2011 4:06 PM CST reply actions

So, because his career got cut short by injury

he isn’t deserving of some accolades in what he did the short time he was playing? Then neither should Kirby Puckett and Lou Gerhig be in the Baseball Hall of Fame due to their careers being cut short. Maybe Bo Jackson shouldn’t be recognized for any of his exploits due to his career being cut short. Maybe Derrick Thomas either since he lost his life and career was short as well.

Just because of how long or short someone is playing, they all have their greatness. Sadly with Millard, getting injured in the 4th game of the 1990 was a great loss, but then you would have to make the same arguement about any player who had to end his career early in any sport that they weren’t great. And I think you’ll find a majority disagreeing with you.

New coach, new coaching staff, new starting QB. All we need now is a new stadium and all will be well in 2011.

by VikesFaninNM on Feb 9, 2011 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

Well I look at it that there are two aspects...

… to being great. One is how bright you burn at your peak, and one is how long you last.

For example, Favre broke every record in the book, but I wouldn’t say he’s the greatest QB of all time. Top 10… maybe… but longevity made the record book.

Was Hank Aaron better than Mickey Mantle? Not in my book. At his best, Mantle burned as bright as anyone. He just didn’t have the steady numbers Aaron did.

So longevity is one aspect.

Keith Millard to me, and it wasn’t just one season, was a dominant tackle like John Randle was. The guy could dominate inside and bring sacks.

K. Williams a good year is what, 5-6 sacks. Millard and Randle were freaks.

The guy I see that dominates like those guys is Suh from the Lions. That guy has HOF written all over him.

Millard didn’t have the kind of longevity Randle did, but he burned just as bright at his peak, or nearly so.

by HammeroftheGods on Feb 9, 2011 9:13 PM CST up reply actions

Very true!

Wish I had thought of throwing that tid bit in myself. Awesome job.

New coach, new coaching staff, new starting QB. All we need now is a new stadium and all will be well in 2011.

by VikesFaninNM on Feb 10, 2011 10:45 PM CST up reply actions

Well here is a stat....

… Keith Millard played 75 games as a VIking to get 53 sacks.

Kevin WIlliams has played 126 games as a Viking to get 49.5 sacks.

So Williams has fewer sacks than Millard having played 51 more games as a Viking.

At his current rate, Williams won’t pass Millard next year either…

by HammeroftheGods on Feb 9, 2011 9:22 PM CST up reply actions

Any word on...

where Chilly’s going, if anywhere? Is Miami still talking to him about an OC job?

Nothing's tougher than being a diehard Vikings fan.

by KJSegall on Feb 9, 2011 4:07 PM CST reply actions

Special Teams Coach in the UFL

The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota

See, you think I give a shit. Wrong. In fact, while you talk, I’m thinking; How can I give less of shit? That’s why I look interested."

by Ted Glover on Feb 9, 2011 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

I thought he was gonna be hired in the XFL........

Oh wait……… nevermind

New coach, new coaching staff, new starting QB. All we need now is a new stadium and all will be well in 2011.

by VikesFaninNM on Feb 10, 2011 10:46 PM CST up reply actions

Now I feel nostalgic...

… why can’t we have gotten Millard as a co-defensive line coach? I mean, why the hell not? It isn’t like co-defensive line coach is a real critical coaching spot to fill, why not Keith?

by HammeroftheGods on Feb 9, 2011 9:32 PM CST reply actions