At a Glance
Hometown:
Columbus, Mississippi (born April 3, 1959)
College:
Leslie was an All-American defensive back and baseball player at Alcorn State University. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1982.He started his coaching career in 1988 at Trinity College in Illinois. Dr. Kenneth M. Meyer, Trinity’s president in 1986, knew Leslie was the right man for the job. “I’m a person of faith,” said Meyer, a former pastor. “I prayed about it. I just felt God was leading me to him.” Dr. Meyer added, “I knew he had the ability. I knew he could do it. And his wife was on my side.”Two months later, Leslie became the first head coach at Trinity College in Illinois (now known as Trinity International University). “It was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life,” Frazier said. He went on to hold the position for nine years, building the program from the ground up, winning a pair of Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference championships.In 1996, Leslie left his footprint behind at Trinity College to join the University of Illinois, where he coached defensive backs.Frazier made such an impact while at Trinity that the school named the football field in honor of his name, “You talk about humbling.” Frazier acknowledged the special tribute, “That’s usually something that happens when you’re gone, when you’re underground.”
NFL Experience:
Leslie was a part of the legendary Chicago Bears defense that won Super Bowl XX in dramatic fashion over the New England Patriots in 1985. Frazier, along with All Pro Dad Mike Singletary, were members of the famous Chicago Bears “G Crew” in the video, “The Super Bowl Shuffle.” As a cornerback, Frazier led Chicago in interceptions during the 1983, 1984, and 1985 seasons. He was a huge impact in the Bears secondary, but his career was cut short due to a knee injury suffered while returning a punt in the first half of Super Bowl XX.In 1999, Leslie returned to the NFL as defensive backs coach with the Philadelphia Eagles. He helped lead the Eagles to playoff appearances in each of his final three seasons with the team. Prior to his tenure in Indianapolis, Frazier served as defensive coordinator with Cincinnati for two seasons. He helped the Bengals maintain an even record in back-to-back seasons for the first time in twelve seasons. In 2005, Frazier was hired by Tony Dungy as a defensive assistant for the Indianapolis Colts, gaining the title of special assistant to Coach Dungy as well as earning the responsibility of coaching the defensive backs. On February 4, 2007 Coach Dungy and the Colts beat Frazier’s former team, the Chicago Bears, in Super bowl XLI.Following his first Super Bowl victory as an assistant coach, Frazier was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. After only one season, he earned the responsibility of assistant head coach.He was an immediate leader, helping the Vikings record the most wins in the NFC during the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. On November 22, 2010, Leslie was named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. His players rallied behind him. Although the Vikings had too much ground to make up in order to make the playoffs, the organization was driven by the direction of their new leader. On January 3, 2011, Leslie was named the Minnesota Vikings head coach.
Bio
Family Bio: When Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier met his wife Gale for the first time, they were taking a class together at Alcorn State. He noticed her right away, and asked a friend of his to do some checking around to see who she was. His friend came back a few days later and confirmed what Leslie’s gut was already telling him- that she was something special. So they started dating and when Leslie was in Chicago trying to make the Bears roster, he called her to propose on the phone. Gale then flew to Chicago and they got married.Leslie went on to play for the Bears while Gale expecting their first son Kieron. The team went deep into the playoffs in January of 1985 and as disappointing a loss as that was to Leslie, just missing the Super Bowl, it allowed him to be there for the delivery of his son. As he witnessed the miracle of birth, Leslie says two things went through his mind, “How can you not believe in God after seeing that, and I had a whole new appreciation for what women go through.”In the coming years, Gale and Leslie also welcomed Chantel and Corey to their family. As parents of three, they have stressed the importance of getting connected to Christ with the help of their church. They believe that a strong foundation in their faith will help their children make it in life, despite the challenges of being a “Coach’s kid”.When Leslie is spending time with his kids, he enjoys just sitting and talking to them, or shooting hoops or tossing the baseball. And he and Gale enjoy getting out on dates and talking. Leslie strives to get her away from her routine so they can enjoy each other’s company.
Career Bio:
PLAYER:
- Alcorn State University (1978-1981),
- Chicago Bears (1981-1986)
COACH:
- Trinity College (1988-1996),
- University of Illinois (1997-1998),
- Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2002),
- Cincinnati Bengals (2003-2004),
- Indianapolis Colts (2005-2006),
- Minnesota Vikings (2007-Present)
Career Highlights:
- As of the start of the 2010 season, Leslie has coached 5 players who have earned 10 Pro Bowl selections
- Leslie has coached 7 playoff teams in 11 seasons, earning 6 division championships
- Frazier has recorded only one losing season during his 11 seasons as NFL coach
- 2009 NFC North Division Champion (Minnesota Vikings)
- 2008 NFC North Division Champion (Minnesota Vikings)
- United States Ambassador, State of Mississippi
- 2007 Inductee into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame
- Super Bowl XLI Champion (Indianapolis Colts)
- 2002 NFC East Division Champion (Philadelphia Eagles)
- 2001 NFC East Division Champion (Philadelphia Eagles)
- First head coach from the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the NFL
- 1994, Mid-States Football Association Western Division Coach of the Year
- 1990, NAIA district 20 Independent Coach of the Year
- Won two Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference Championships as Trinity College head coach
- Super Bowl XX Champion (Chicago Bears)
- Led Chicago Bears in interceptions for three consecutive seasons (1985,1984,1983)
- All American Defensive Back (Alcorn State University)
Volunteer: Active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes throughout career
A Few Players Influenced by Leslie Frazier:
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings), Kevin Williams (Pat Williams), Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings), Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota Vikings), Visanthe Shianco (Minnesota Vikings), Antoine Winfield (Minnesota Vikings), Darren Sharper (Minnesota Vikings), Chad Greenway (Minnesota Vikings), E.J. Henderson (Minnesota Vikings), Antoine Bethea (Indianapolis Colts), Bob Sanders (Indianapolis Colts), Bobby Taylor (Philadelphia Eagles), Brian Dawkins (Philadelphia Eagles), Troy Vincent (Philadelphia Eagles), Justin Smith (Cincinnati Bengals)
