Stadium, Zimmer deal: It's all a matter of timing

This is a big week for the Vikings ownership group. U.S. Bank Stadium opened after a long legislative battle to get the building financed and built, and the word from most anyone who steps inside is that it's unique and one of the best stadiums in the country.

But perhaps just as big as the opening of the stadium was other news recently that the ownership and General Manager Rick Spielman had signed Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer to a contract extension, coinciding with the opening of what they hope will be his longtime home stadium.

Vikings President and owner Mark Wilf talked about the decision to extend Zimmer, who is the third head coach the Wilfs have hired since taking over as owners in 2005.

"We've seen in these two years since he took the helm that we just love the way he operates and he's a straight shooter," Wilf said. "He's pretty much what we saw Day 1 when we interviewed, and that's what you get. Highly experienced, a great defensive mind, and he's put a great staff together. So Zim is our guy, and we wanted to recognize that here and that's where we're at.

"I think our players respond to him. We wish him and his family the best, and we wish the Vikings the best as we all go forward. What drives us every day, every single day, is to make sure we get to our ultimate goal, and that's winning Super Bowls. I think we have the structure in place that can hopefully get us there."

And how does Wilf feel about his football team heading into training camp?

"We're certainly excited about the football staff we've put together," Wilf said. "Coach Zimmer we have the highest regard for, and we've extended him. Rick Spielman, our general manager, we think we have the people and the structure in place, and we think we got a lot better this offseason.

"We had a solid draft. We brought in a lot of free agents. We're going to have more competition at all positions, and that's what it's all about. I know Coach Zimmer has them working hard, and a lot of good things are going on. But there's a lot of hard work to get where we want to go, and that's to the Super Bowl."

Stadium becomes a reality

It has been a slow process, and surely it won't feel like the Vikings' home field until they play their first game there, but Wilf said that the opening of U.S. Bank Stadium to the public and having the first event there Wednesday with a soccer match between two European clubs has been all they hoped for.

"It's been an exciting week," he said, "and I think the architecture and the field we've built is unique and something we're very proud of. We can't wait for fans to continue to experience it in the weeks ahead.

"We spent a lot of time looking at a lot of designs, and I think what HKS [the firm that designed the stadium] did with the creativity of that clear roof and the dramatic doorways in the front, the largest pivoting doors in the world, and that outdoor feel in an indoor building, was such a unique design and such a great team. We couldn't be more proud of this building."

Wilf was asked if the team had other stadiums in mind when U.S. Bank Stadium was built.

"No, no, I think it's something unique in the NFL," he said. "But what HKS has done in Dallas and other places is they really did have a great focus on the fan experience. There are no bad seats in the stadium, plenty of opportunities between clubs and food areas and the plaza for fans to feel close to the game. You can always see the action from wherever you are, pretty much. Fan experience was No. 1.

"Then they took some of the best design elements from around the world. The ETFE [the stadium's clear cover] was the open feeling, so there was a lot they brought to the table. I think fans, when they come from all over the world to see this building, are going to see something unique and special in the world and what we think is the finest sports and entertainment venue in the world. So we couldn't be more excited for the Vikings and our fans and for fans of all sports and entertainment that is going to take place in this building. It's an exciting time."

Still perhaps the best early aspect of the stadium is its versatility, from hosting the Purple Gala to the soccer game. The team believes this stadium is going to be much more than a football stadium.

"It really is multipurpose," Wilf said. "This is something that was important for us as well as the state and the city. [It] would have to be more than just 12 games a year plus the playoffs that the Vikings have. There will be all kinds of events. We are off to a great start, but it's going to be able to host college and high school baseball and the X Games and Final Four and Super Bowl and all of these great events. Minnesota can show off what a great community it is to the world, and this building will be a center of that."

JOTTINGS

• With the Gophers football team kicking off fall practice, coach Tracy Claeys said it's hard to overestimate the value of starting quarterback Mitch Leidner having played 35 games: "There's two places experience I think really pays off and that's in the secondary, I think that's important, and then at quarterback. Those are two positions that have to make plays in order for you to win ballgames nowadays with the way the game is played."

• Gophers track and field and cross-country coach Steve Plasencia landed a great recruit in javelin thrower Luke May out of Whitefish, Mont. May won three consecutive state titles in the event. He also led his football team to its first state title in 36 years, playing quarterback and defensive back. He was a two-time all-state QB.

• Jimmy Shapiro with Bovada in Las Vegas said sports books have Vikings coach Mike Zimmer tied with Bruce Arians of the Cardinals as odds-on favorites to win NFL Coach of the Year at 15-2 odds.

• Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer on getting past Blair Walsh's 27-yard missed field goal in the playoffs against the Seahawks last season: "I don't think I've gotten over it. I don't know if you ever get over something like that, but I've moved on from it. I don't think you forget it. I think the one thing I can learn as a coach is to remind him, 'Hey man, let's just focus here,' because he knew the moment, and the moment's not too big for a guy like Blair Walsh."

• Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater talked about the offensive line: "That group is healthy right now and that's what is most important. You get John Sullivan back into the mix and then you add Andre Smith and Alex Boone. Those guys have been doing a great job of being physical and having the mentality that they want to dominate each day."

Sid Hartman can be heard weekdays on WCCO AM-830 at 7:40 and 8:40 a.m. and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. E-mail: shartman@startribune.com