Frazier gets Vikings' job

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Leslie Frazier passed his late-season audition and snagged the head-coaching job with the Minnesota Vikings.

Frazier had been given the job on an interim basis after Brad Childress was fired with the Vikings mired at 3-7 despite having reached the NFC championship game just the season before. Frazier went 3-3, including a season-ending loss at Detroit Sunday, which was good enough to have the interim designation removed from his title.

"We are very excited to announce Leslie Frazier as the new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings," Vikings President Mark Wilf said. "Leslie is well-respected by our players, coaches and front office staff and has proven to be a winner on the field at every level of playing and coaching."

Frazier, 51, was the defensive coordinator prior to his promotion. He is the eighth head coach in the team's 50-year history.

"I could not have asked for a better opportunity in the National Football League," Frazier said. "I have a deep respect for our players and those within the organization that I have gotten to know over the last four years and I am very happy to lead our football team moving forward."

Frazier's previous NFL experience includes a stint as defensive backs coach in Philadelphia, defensive coordinator for Cincinnati an defensive backs coach at Indianapolis. He won a Super Bowl as a player with Chicago.