Player personnel vice president's rocky tenure could end soonKevin Seifert, Star TribuneThe Vikings were negotiating a contract buyout with personnel director Fran Foley on Tuesday, a move that would end Foley’s rocky tenure with the team, according to three NFL sources with knowledge of the situation.The circumstances leading to the decision were not immediately clear, and it was possible Foley could remain with the team if the sides are unable to settle the terms of a three-year contract he signed Jan. 21.Without question, however, the Vikings are seeking to part ways with Foley two days after he presided over the NFL draft and three months after he was hired to be part of owner Zygi Wilf’s three-pronged leadership team, along with coach Brad Childress and vice president for football operations Rob Brzezinski.Wilf did not return phone calls. Lester Bagley, vice president of public affairs and stadium development, declined comment on the situation when reached by phone Tuesday afternoon.On April 21, Foley admitted that he had mischaracterized, on four occasions, his early work history on the résumé he submitted to the Vikings prior to his interview with team officials in January. Foley also exaggerated the extent of his college playing career at Framingham State College, asserting that he had played four seasons when in fact he had played only two.Foley’s logical replacement would be Scott Studwell, director of college scouting. Studwell was passed over for the job Foley eventually received, but is said to be content with his current job.©2006 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
