Deuce
Well-Known Member
Am I the only one who sees the irony in this?
Tice hires O'Leary as assistant on Vikings staff
Posted: Friday January 11, 2002 1:12 PM
Updated: Friday January 11, 2002 4:50 PM
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- George O'Leary was hired as an assistant
for the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, nearly a month after quitting as Notre
Dame's coach for lying on his resume.
O'Leary will coach the defensive line and also serve as assistant head coach.
Vikings coach Mike Tice introduced O'Leary at an afternoon news
conference. The NFL had no comment on the hiring.
O'Leary, the former Georgia Tech coach who also coached Tice in high
school, was hired at Notre Dame on Dec. 8. He quit five days later after
officials discovered lies on his resume about his academic and athletic
background.
Tice said what happened at Notre Dame had no influence on his decision to
add O'Leary to the staff.
"Not even a bit," Tice said.
O'Leary said he didn't view the job as a second chance.
"I'm just happy to be part of the picture right now," he said. "I'm looking
forward to it. I've been dealing with a lot of other problems, as you know, but
I'm looking forward to coaching, and that's what I really enjoy."
Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White said O'Leary 'will no doubt be a
great addition to the Vikings' staff.'
"Personally speaking, I am most pleased to learn that he has been offered, and
accepted, this opportunity," he said. "We wish him the best."
Earlier Friday, Red McCombs declined comment on O'Leary but told The
Associated Press he was "on board" with Tice on any coaching staff
decisions.
"I like the direction he is going," McCombs said. "I feel very good about the
staff he is proposing."
Tice also said he would interview Art Shell, the former Oakland Raiders
coach, for the job of offensive line coach.
O'Leary coached Tice in New York at Central Islip High School on Long
Island.
O'Leary left Notre Dame after admitting he falsely stated in his biographical
sketch that he had a master's degree in education from New York University
and had earned three letters as a New Hampshire football player. O'Leary
attended New Hampshire for two years and never played a game.
Tice was made interim coach when Dennis Green was forced out Jan. 4 after
10 seasons.
On Thursday, his first day as head coach, Tice let go special teams coach
Gary Zauner.
Four assistants, including offensive coordinator Sherm Lewis and defensive
coordinator Emmitt Thomas, learned Tuesday they won't be returning, and
outside linebackers coach Trent Walters left for a job at Notre Dame.
On Friday, former defensive backs coach Willie Shaw accepted the defensive
coordinator position.
Tice made it clear that everyone's input would matter -- something that wasn't
always the case in Green's tenure. Green was ousted last Friday, days before
the Vikings' 5-11 season ended. Tice coached the team in their final game
Monday night, a 19-3 loss to Baltimore.
Green was forced out last week because he had apparently lost control of
some of his players.
Tice hires O'Leary as assistant on Vikings staff
Posted: Friday January 11, 2002 1:12 PM
Updated: Friday January 11, 2002 4:50 PM
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- George O'Leary was hired as an assistant
for the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, nearly a month after quitting as Notre
Dame's coach for lying on his resume.
O'Leary will coach the defensive line and also serve as assistant head coach.
Vikings coach Mike Tice introduced O'Leary at an afternoon news
conference. The NFL had no comment on the hiring.
O'Leary, the former Georgia Tech coach who also coached Tice in high
school, was hired at Notre Dame on Dec. 8. He quit five days later after
officials discovered lies on his resume about his academic and athletic
background.
Tice said what happened at Notre Dame had no influence on his decision to
add O'Leary to the staff.
"Not even a bit," Tice said.
O'Leary said he didn't view the job as a second chance.
"I'm just happy to be part of the picture right now," he said. "I'm looking
forward to it. I've been dealing with a lot of other problems, as you know, but
I'm looking forward to coaching, and that's what I really enjoy."
Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White said O'Leary 'will no doubt be a
great addition to the Vikings' staff.'
"Personally speaking, I am most pleased to learn that he has been offered, and
accepted, this opportunity," he said. "We wish him the best."
Earlier Friday, Red McCombs declined comment on O'Leary but told The
Associated Press he was "on board" with Tice on any coaching staff
decisions.
"I like the direction he is going," McCombs said. "I feel very good about the
staff he is proposing."
Tice also said he would interview Art Shell, the former Oakland Raiders
coach, for the job of offensive line coach.
O'Leary coached Tice in New York at Central Islip High School on Long
Island.
O'Leary left Notre Dame after admitting he falsely stated in his biographical
sketch that he had a master's degree in education from New York University
and had earned three letters as a New Hampshire football player. O'Leary
attended New Hampshire for two years and never played a game.
Tice was made interim coach when Dennis Green was forced out Jan. 4 after
10 seasons.
On Thursday, his first day as head coach, Tice let go special teams coach
Gary Zauner.
Four assistants, including offensive coordinator Sherm Lewis and defensive
coordinator Emmitt Thomas, learned Tuesday they won't be returning, and
outside linebackers coach Trent Walters left for a job at Notre Dame.
On Friday, former defensive backs coach Willie Shaw accepted the defensive
coordinator position.
Tice made it clear that everyone's input would matter -- something that wasn't
always the case in Green's tenure. Green was ousted last Friday, days before
the Vikings' 5-11 season ended. Tice coached the team in their final game
Monday night, a 19-3 loss to Baltimore.
Green was forced out last week because he had apparently lost control of
some of his players.
