Aug

25

Vikings History Lesson: The Vikings Coaching History Part 2

Posted by The Jazzy One

August 25, 2008 |

 

 

Good afternoon, Vikings fans.  For this week’s history lesson we’re going to look at part 2 to our current series:  The Vikings Coaching History.

 

So that means today we’ll look at the second coach in Vikings history:  Bud Grant.

 

 

Bud Grant actually coached the Vikings two different times, the first time being 1967 - 1983, and the second time being in 1985.

 

While attending college at the University of Minnesota, Grant was a multi-sport star, playing football, baseball, and basketball.  When he graduated, he was actually drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA as well as the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.  He chose to play in the NBA because it would allow him to stay in his home town.  After two years of basketball, however, he decided that he would rather play football.  He contacted the Eagles, and they signed him for the 1951 season.

 

He started his career playing defensive end, leading his team in sacks (not an official statistic at the time).  During his second season he switched to wide-receiver, and he lead his team (and was second in the NFL) in receiving yards.

 

After two seasons, the Eagles didn’t want to pay Grant what he thought he was worth, so he played for a few years in the CFL.  He also began his coaching career in Canada, as well.

 

In 1967 he took over the coaching job of the Minnesota Vikings from Norm Van Brocklin.  During his time coaching the Vikings, Grant became known for his discipline and lack of emotion.  He went so far as demanding that his players stood a certain way during the national anthem, and he even “practiced” the national anthem with his team to ensure it was right.  His ideas must have had some merit to them, since in his second year coaching the Vikings he lead them to their first NFL playoff appearance,  and in his third year lead the Vikings to their first Super Bowl.  He lead them to four Super Bowls overall.

 

Grant retired in 1983 and was replaced by Les Steckel.  However, when Steckel waws fired after a year, Grant came back to coach the Vikings for one more season.  He was replaced in 1985 by Jerry Burns.

 

Grant retired from coaching as the 8th most wins in NFL history.  His record as an NFL coach was 61-99-5.

 

 


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