NFL coach Dennis Green gets back on the sidelines with the Cardinals

Jet, Jan 26, 2004

Dennis Green looks to revive his winning reputation in the National Football League.

One of the winningest coaches in the 1990s, Green recently signed a five-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. The deal is reportedly worth an estimated $10 million.

Green, 54, had a 97-62 record in 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and led them into the playoffs eight times before he was fired in 2001, his only losing season.

"Naming Dennis Green the Cardinals' head coach is a significant element to our plan to build a winning team," said team President Bill Bidwill. "He is a proven winner with an outstanding track record of success everywhere he has coached. We're anxious for him to begin implementing his winning program with the Cardinals."

Green takes over a team that has had one winning season since 1984, one playoff appearance since 1982 and one playoff victory since winning the NFL title in 1947 as the Chicago Cardinals.

A Pennsylvania native, Green replaces coach Dave McGinnis, who was fired after Arizona finished 412 last season, one of four teams with that league-worst record.