The 10 Most Underrated NFL Head Coaches Since 2000

4. Mike Tice, Minnesota Vikings

Average nERD: 1.04 (27th)
Average Win Differential: 0.00 (37th)

The Vikings have had some hard luck in the past decade and a half. Mike Tice, a former NFL tight end, took over in Minnesota in 2002 and lasted just four years as a head coach (though he’s remained in the league as a tight ends and offensive line coach since). The most interesting thing that happened in Tice’s time in Minnesota was his investigation -- and subsequent fining -- for organizing a Super Bowl ticket scalping operation. Other than this, he led the Vikings to four consecutive second-place finishes in the NFC North, including one playoff berth.

Still, his record should have been much better than 32-32 in those years. His first and last season were below average, but 2003 and 2004 saw the Vikings put up a 4.98 and 3.17 nERD, respectively. Tice’s tenure was marked by a fairly silly scandal in it and looked mediocre otherwise, but he probably earned himself a slightly longer leash than he got.