Mike Zimmer is beginning to fill in his new coaching staff in Minnesota. Norv Turner will join the Vikings' staff as the offensive coordinator, while George Edwards will be hired to run the defense, according to the Daily Norseman.
NFL coaching tracker: Vikings will hire Norv Turner, George Edwards as coordinators
Minnesota has reportedly landed a pair of coordinators while Lionel Vital has emerged as the favorite for the Bucs’ GM job. The Browns, the only team still searching for a head coach, are rumored to be waiting on Denver’s Adam Gase to become available.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Turner, who has coached in the NFL in some capacity since 1985, spent the 2013 season as the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. Reports indicated Wednesday night that the Vikings had been granted permission to interview him and an agreement didn't take long.
This will be Turner's sixth stint as an NFL coordinator, having previously served in that capacity with the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers. He's also been a head coach with the Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders and Chargers, though without the success of his coordinator stops.
Edwards has spent the last two seasons as the linebackers coach for the Dolphins. He has coached in the league since 1998 and had previous defensive coordinator stops with the Redskins and Buffalo Bills. He spent the 2010 season leading the defense at the University of Florida.
Browns reportedly waiting for Adam Gase
The Cleveland Browns are scheduled to interview Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine on Thursday, but according to reports, they're just biding their time to interview Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
NFL rules prohibit the Browns from meeting with Gase until the conclusion of the Broncos' playoff run. Denver has played its way into the AFC Championship this Sunday against the New England Patriots, thanks largely to the record-breaking offense Gase has engineered. The Broncos set the league's all-time scoring mark during the 2013 regular season.
The Browns have been turned down twice already by candidates, with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles reportedly removing their names from consideration. Ben McAdoo, who also sat down with the team, was recently hired as the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants.
Cleveland has also interviewed Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and recently fired Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak.
Lionel Vital the favorite to land Bucs’ GM job
Atlanta Falcons director of personnel Lionel Vital has been the rumored front-runner for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' general manager position for some time now, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reiterated his standing on Thursday.
Vital is the most experienced of the candidates and reportedly made a strong impression on new head coach Lovie Smith. Jason Licht, Marc Ross and Lake Dawson have also interviewed for the position.
More from SB Nation NFL
See More:
