Foley to leave Chargers for Vikings job
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 5:51 am
I gotta believe this is almost a coup for the Vikings and a hint things aren't rosie in Charger land.
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
San Diego Chargers director of pro scouting Fran Foley has agreed in principle to become the new director of player personnel for the Minnesota Vikings, and a deal is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
Foley would become the third "point" in what new Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has described as a "triangle of authority" in the franchise's revamped football operation. In the front office model described by Wilf last week, vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski and the club's personnel director will work with new head coach Brad Childress in a committee approach.
The highly respected Brzezinski signed a three-year contract extension during the final weekend of the regular season. Childress, former offensive coordinator for the Eagles, was hired two weeks ago to replace the deposed Mike Tice. Wilf has been clear for some time about the need to hire a top personnel executive.
After the Vikings interviewed at least seven candidates, Foley was offered the job earlier this week. The two sides are working toward finalizing his contract.
Foley, 44, joined the Chargers' scouting staff in 2003 after spending the previous nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A former college coach, Foley was hired in 1994 as assistant director of pro personnel, and then promoted in 1998 to the position of director of pro scouting.
The addition of Foley, when it becomes official, further strengthens a front office that Wilf has worked hard to bolster since purchasing the Vikings last spring. Under former owner Red McCombs, the Vikings had one of the league's smallest support staffs.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.