Vikings firing Fran Foley for draft, mgmt. style and lying - The Orange Mane

Victor · 05-03-2006, 08:24 AM

Vikings move to buy out draft point man Foley

Less than 14 weeks after being hired, sources say, his departure is imminent. Management style and a misleading resume are blamed.

Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune

The Vikings spent much of Tuesday negotiating a contract settlement with personnel director Fran Foley, a precursor to Foley's departure from the organization after a rocky three-month tenure.
Four NFL sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed the team decided late Monday to part ways with Foley, a day after he presided over a draft that has been widely criticized for several risky moves in the second round. But according to the sources, Foley's demise was more attributable to an exaggerated résumé -- which he revised April 21 after admitting four embellishments of his early work history -- and concerns about his management style at Winter Park.

Foley was said to have met late Monday with owner Zygi Wilf, and the sides commenced buyout discussions Tuesday. Foley signed a three-year contract Jan. 21, and the Vikings were hoping to avoid paying the entirety of the deal, believed to be worth $1 million.

Wilf did not return phone calls Tuesday, and Lester Bagley, vice president of public affairs and stadium development, said the organization would have no comment. Mark Wilf, president and limited partner, referred questions to Zygi Wilf. Foley could not be reached for comment.

Foley's expected departure will close a bizarre chapter in the Vikings' long and winding history. Wilf created the job after Commissioner Paul Tagliabue recommended he seek out an experienced NFL executive to beef up the personnel department.

The Vikings' first choice, Philadelphia executive Tom Heckert, turned down their offer Jan. 2 when the Eagles promoted him to general manager.

Foley, who had spent a total of 12 seasons in the front offices of San Diego (2003-05) and Jacksonville (1994-2002), emerged as a consensus choice after a search committee interviewed at least seven candidates for the job.

The search committee included coach Brad Childress, Rob Brzezinski, the team's vice president of football operations, and Kevin Warren, vice president of operations/legal counsel.

Wilf signed off on their recommendation, and Foley was hired Jan. 26 as vice president of player personnel.

In that role, Foley was to supervise both the college and pro scouting departments as part of a leadership triumvirate with Childress and Brzezinski. But sources say Foley's brash management style caused considerable tension within the organization and left the personnel department in disarray as the draft ended Sunday.

Career distortions

Meanwhile, Foley acknowledged on two separate occasions that he had misrepresented parts of his career -- in his media biography and on the résumé he submitted to Wilf during the interview process.

Foley first admitted that he had played two seasons at Division III Framingham (Mass.) State College, not the full four seasons as stated in his media biography.

Four days later, Foley revised the entire biography when media inquiries found he had embellished his job titles at Colgate (1984), The Citadel (1985) and Rutgers (1986). In each case, Foley implied that he had been a full-time position coach when, in reality, he had served as the equivalent of a graduate assistant.

Also, a Rutgers official said Foley was not the director of football operations and recruiting coordinator, as he listed on his résumé, but rather an administrative assistant from 1987-90.

It was unclear Tuesday how the Vikings will move forward. The contracts of all members of their personnel department expire May 31. Scott Studwell is expected to remain director of college scouting and could be a candidate for Foley's job, if Wilf decides to fill it.

Jeff Robinson -- who has been working with Paul Wiggin, Frank Acevedo and Ryan Monnens to coordinate the pro personnel department -- could be a candidate for promotion as well.

footstepsfrom#27 · 05-03-2006, 08:34 AM

No wonder that team can't get anywhere. What a bunch of dummies. Why wouldn't you check out a guy's resume before hiring him to run your draft? And why are they even considering a buy out? Didn't they think to include in his contract that the deal is null and void if it's determined he lied to get the job in the first place?

I think the Vikes are a good place to ship Lelie. They have no dominant receiver that he couldn't probably beat out as the #1 option and are in need of a reciever; they play indoors on turf which helps a speed guy like him, and they are stupid enough that we could probably take 'em to the cleaners.

fontaine · 05-03-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

No wonder that team can't get anywhere. What a bunch of dummies. Why wouldn't you check out a guy's resume before hiring him to run your draft? And why are they even considering a buy out? Didn't they think to include in his contract that the deal is null and void if it's determined he lied to get the job in the first place?

I think the Vikes are a good place to ship Lelie. They have no dominant receiver that he couldn't probably beat out as the #1 option and are in need of a reciever; they play indoors on turf which helps a speed guy like him, and they are stupid enough that we could probably take 'em to the cleaners.

Even the viqueens aren't disfunctional enough to trade for Lelie when they already have Koren and Marcus Robinson, Travis Taylor and Troy Williamson.

Maybe Detroit. They sure could use another WR considering they didn't draft one in the first round this year!

We'd better trade this punk to someone in the NFC because the faders and chorfs would grab Ashley in a man sandwich if we cut him just to spite Denver.

cousinal11 · 05-03-2006, 08:45 AM

Something about the Vikings and resumes.

bendog · 05-03-2006, 08:46 AM

Detwat supposedly wanted to part with Mike Williams who doesn't have the burst to play in a vertical offense. At least I heard a talking head say that during the draft, and mentioned Lelie for him might could work. Of course, shanny may not want Mike Williams, or what I heard might have been bs.

Haroldthebarrel · 05-03-2006, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendog

Detwat supposedly wanted to part with Mike Williams who doesn't have the burst to play in a vertical offense. At least I heard a talking head say that during the draft, and mentioned Lelie for him might could work. Of course, shanny may not want Mike Williams, or what I heard might have been bs.

Interestingly two years ago where we drafted DJ Williams there were only four mentioned of our usual fab five prospects that we were looking at.
They were Reggie Williams, M. Clayton, Dj Williams and Tommie Harris.
That lead to speculations that hadnt Mike Williams not been allowed to enter, he was one of the fab five.

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05-03-2006, 08:24 AM	#1
Victor The Dude Abides Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 724 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eric Decker	Vikings firing Fran Foley for draft, mgmt. style and lying Vikings move to buy out draft point man Foley Less than 14 weeks after being hired, sources say, his departure is imminent. Management style and a misleading resume are blamed. Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune The Vikings spent much of Tuesday negotiating a contract settlement with personnel director Fran Foley, a precursor to Foley's departure from the organization after a rocky three-month tenure. Four NFL sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed the team decided late Monday to part ways with Foley, a day after he presided over a draft that has been widely criticized for several risky moves in the second round. But according to the sources, Foley's demise was more attributable to an exaggerated résumé -- which he revised April 21 after admitting four embellishments of his early work history -- and concerns about his management style at Winter Park. Foley was said to have met late Monday with owner Zygi Wilf, and the sides commenced buyout discussions Tuesday. Foley signed a three-year contract Jan. 21, and the Vikings were hoping to avoid paying the entirety of the deal, believed to be worth $1 million. Wilf did not return phone calls Tuesday, and Lester Bagley, vice president of public affairs and stadium development, said the organization would have no comment. Mark Wilf, president and limited partner, referred questions to Zygi Wilf. Foley could not be reached for comment. Foley's expected departure will close a bizarre chapter in the Vikings' long and winding history. Wilf created the job after Commissioner Paul Tagliabue recommended he seek out an experienced NFL executive to beef up the personnel department. The Vikings' first choice, Philadelphia executive Tom Heckert, turned down their offer Jan. 2 when the Eagles promoted him to general manager. Foley, who had spent a total of 12 seasons in the front offices of San Diego (2003-05) and Jacksonville (1994-2002), emerged as a consensus choice after a search committee interviewed at least seven candidates for the job. The search committee included coach Brad Childress, Rob Brzezinski, the team's vice president of football operations, and Kevin Warren, vice president of operations/legal counsel. Wilf signed off on their recommendation, and Foley was hired Jan. 26 as vice president of player personnel. In that role, Foley was to supervise both the college and pro scouting departments as part of a leadership triumvirate with Childress and Brzezinski. But sources say Foley's brash management style caused considerable tension within the organization and left the personnel department in disarray as the draft ended Sunday. Career distortions Meanwhile, Foley acknowledged on two separate occasions that he had misrepresented parts of his career -- in his media biography and on the résumé he submitted to Wilf during the interview process. Foley first admitted that he had played two seasons at Division III Framingham (Mass.) State College, not the full four seasons as stated in his media biography. Four days later, Foley revised the entire biography when media inquiries found he had embellished his job titles at Colgate (1984), The Citadel (1985) and Rutgers (1986). In each case, Foley implied that he had been a full-time position coach when, in reality, he had served as the equivalent of a graduate assistant. Also, a Rutgers official said Foley was not the director of football operations and recruiting coordinator, as he listed on his résumé, but rather an administrative assistant from 1987-90. It was unclear Tuesday how the Vikings will move forward. The contracts of all members of their personnel department expire May 31. Scott Studwell is expected to remain director of college scouting and could be a candidate for Foley's job, if Wilf decides to fill it. Jeff Robinson -- who has been working with Paul Wiggin, Frank Acevedo and Ryan Monnens to coordinate the pro personnel department -- could be a candidate for promotion as well.

05-03-2006, 08:34 AM	#2
footstepsfrom#27 helmet to helmet hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 16,117 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	No wonder that team can't get anywhere. What a bunch of dummies. Why wouldn't you check out a guy's resume before hiring him to run your draft? And why are they even considering a buy out? Didn't they think to include in his contract that the deal is null and void if it's determined he lied to get the job in the first place? I think the Vikes are a good place to ship Lelie. They have no dominant receiver that he couldn't probably beat out as the #1 option and are in need of a reciever; they play indoors on turf which helps a speed guy like him, and they are stupid enough that we could probably take 'em to the cleaners.

05-03-2006, 08:45 AM	#4
cousinal11 East Coast Bronco Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,203 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joel Dresseen	Something about the Vikings and resumes.

05-03-2006, 08:46 AM	#5
bendog Marginally Continent David Bowens, he'd be an upgrade Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 19,935 Adopt-a-Bronco: David Bowens	Detwat supposedly wanted to part with Mike Williams who doesn't have the burst to play in a vertical offense. At least I heard a talking head say that during the draft, and mentioned Lelie for him might could work. Of course, shanny may not want Mike Williams, or what I heard might have been bs.