Now that the NFL season is over, Commenter RandBallsStu (branding!) is resuming his series of Hunt Downs, whereby he tracks down a former Minnesota sports figure about whom you might have otherwise forgotten. He has never done Dennis Green. Weird, right? Stu ... ----------

The Hunt Down

Name: Dennis Green

Claim to Fame, Minnesota: You may remember him as the head coach of your Minnesota Vikings from 1992-2001. He compiled a record of 97-62, and took the team to the playoffs in 8 of his 10 seasons. (If Mike Zimmer does that, we'll re-name the inner-ring suburb of his choice after him. Probably Richfield.) Despite the healthy winning percentage and consistent postseason appearances, Denny is best remembered for early and/or memorable playoff exits (That Game; 41-Donut) and off-field controversies that are too numerous to mention. Google "Dennis Green cabal" if you want to leave the high road and relive scandalous days gone by.

Vikings Head Coach Power Rankings:

  1. Bud Grant
  2. Dennis Green
  3. Jerry Burns
  4. Mike Zimmer (He hasn't lost a game or said "gives us the best chance to win" yet!)
  5. Mike Tice (The Red McCombs Factor puts him ahead of Chilly)
  6. Brad Childress
  7. Leslie Frazier
  8. Norm Van Brocklin
  9. Les Steckel (there have only been nine, otherwise he would be lower)

Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else: Green was the head coach at Northwestern and Stanford and assistant to Bill Walsh on the 49ers before taking the Vikings job. His post-Vikings coaching career is marked by one signature viral clip and a gig with your Sacramento Mountain Lions.

People He Has Sued/Threatened to Sue: the Minnesota Vikings ownership group, Nancy Pelosi's husband.

Where He Is Now: he just coached the American Team in the prestigious NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Saturday, January 18th. His charges lost to the Dick Vermeil-led National Team 31-17.

Is He on Twitter: yes, but he's been inactive since 2011.

Has He Been in a Twitter Feud with Patrick Reusse: no.

Has He Been in a non-Twitter Feud with Patrick Reusse: yes. Very much so.

Glorious Randomness: if you're one of those people who believe music is meant to be free, you're in luck, as the mellow, jazz-informed, R&B tunes of Dennis Green's Sunset Music Band are available for download at www.DennisGreen.com.

Glorious Randomness II: his website also has links to his consulting business, for those looking to hire a former Vikings head coach but worried that Jerry Burns will say something untoward to a potential client.