Knight Ridder Newspapers
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs has decided to exercise coach Mike Tice's option for 2005, according to a soon-to-be-published report in Sports Illustrated.
McCombs told a reporter from the magazine Sunday before the Vikings played the Tennessee Titans that he would exercise Tice's final-year option, worth $1 million, even if Tice doesn't win another game this season. He added that they also would discuss a long-term extension.
"Mike is going to stay with me as long as he wants to,'' McCombs was quoted as saying in Sports Illustrated.
That contradicted a statement McCombs made to the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Monday.
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"You guys have worn that out,'' McCombs told the paper when asked about Tice's contract status. "I don't know what else to tell you.''
Tice and his agent, Danny More, declined to comment Tuesday, but Tice apparently isn't willing to discuss an extension with McCombs.
"I don't discuss my contract situation with Red,'' he said. "I have goals to reach and a job to do.''
Tice is making $750,000, lowest among head coaches in the NFL by a wide margin and even below a handful of coordinators. McCombs could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
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