Coaching candidate: Adam Gase

Contact: None; Vikings can't speak to Gase until Broncos are eliminated from playoffs or win the Super Bowl

Head coaching experience: None

NFL coaching experience: nine seasons

2005-07 – Offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach for the Lions

2008 – Offensive assistant for the 49ers

2009-present – Wide receivers/quarterbacks/offensive coordinator for the Broncos

Background:

The Vikings didn't interview Gase last week during the Broncos playoff bye week like they did Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Will they wait until the Broncos' season is over to interview the 35-year-old offensive coordinator?

Gase was promoted to offensive coordinator this season after four seasons as a wide receivers and quarterbacks coach in Denver. The Broncos led the NFL in total offense (457.3 ypg) and points (37.9 ppg) with quarterback Peyton Manning setting single-season records for passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55).

Gase was also the quarterbacks coach in 2011 with Tim Tebow under. He went 8-5 in 13 starts (two playoff games) with five fourth-quarter comebacks.

While the Broncos were 15th in the league this season in rushing (117.1 ypg), they led the league in 2011 (164.5 ypg) with Tebow rushing for 660 yards, a team record for quarterbacks.

Gase started his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant and recruiter at LSU under head coach Nick Saban from 200-02 before jumping to the NFL with the Lions in 2005. Gase didn't play college football but the Ypsilanti, Mich native attended Michigan State.