EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Jan. 10, 2006) -- New Vikings coach Brad Childress made his first official hire, choosing Tampa Bay defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin to be Minnesota's defensive coordinator.
The 33-year-old Tomlin spent the past five years with the Buccaneers. They led the NFL this season in fewest yards allowed, the second time that happened during Tomlin's tenure.
Before joining Tampa Bay, he was an assistant in the college ranks -- at Cincinnati, Arkansas State, Memphis and Virginia Military Institute. A wide receiver at William and Mary, Tomlin switched from coaching on the offensive side to defense in 1997.
He replaces Ted Cottrell, who was fired over the weekend by Childress along with most of the remaining assistants who served under coach Mike Tice.
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