:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50179825/GettyImages-1403736.0.jpg)
A few moments ago, NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted some devastating news to Vikings and NFL fans:
Former Vikings and Cardinals coach Dennis Green died early this morning after suffering cardiac arrest, per friend Ray Anderson. He was 67.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2016
Green was the Vikings head coach from 1992-2001, and was the first African American head coach in team history. He was hired after two head coaching stints in college, first at Northwestern, and then Stanford. He came in on the heels of the Bud Grant/Jerry Burns era, an era that had somewhat stagnated, and prior to his arrival the Vikings had failed to make the playoffs in two seasons. Green immediately returned the team to prominence, winning the the NFC Central in 1992, and he took the Vikings to the playoffs his first three years as a head coach, and a total of 8 times in 11 years. His teams won four division titles, and he compiled a playoff record of 4-8.
While in Minnesota, his head coaching record was 97-62, a winning percentage of .610. He is known for producing some of the most prolific offenses in team and league history, and none are more memorable or electric than the 1998 team that went 15-1 and advanced to the NFC Championship game. At the time, that team, with offensive superstars in Randall Cunningham, Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Robert Smith, was the highest scoring team in NFL history.
His time in Minnesota wasn't without controversy, though, and by 2001, in the midst of a miserable season that saw Korey Stringer die in training camp, Green was relieved of duties and was replaced by Mike Tice.
Although Green had his detractors, he ranks as the second best coach in history behind Bud Grant, and his tenure brought us some of the greatest moments in Vikings history. After the Vikings, he became the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for three seasons, and when he left the NFL, his career coaching record was 113-94.
This is a sad day for the NFL, the NCAA, and fans of the teams Denny coached. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Green friends and family at this difficult time.h