The Vikings relieved Fred Pagac of his defensive coordinator duties Friday morning but have offered a job to return as linebackers coach, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. The Vikings have not yet been informed whether Pagac, who coached the Vikings linebackers from 2006-10 before assuming the coordinator job last January, will embrace the demotion or look for work elsewhere. Speculation has persisted for weeks about Pagac’s departure after the defense fell to 21st in total defense, 26th in passing defense and 11th in rushing defense, an area in which the team finished in the league’s top two from 2005-09. Injuries in the secondary thwarted Pagac’s plans for man coverage and a blitz-happy scheme. In the last two weeks, the Vikings have interviewed two candidates to replace Pagac — former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Raheem Morris and Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. Morris accepted a role as Redskins defensive backs coach after the Vikings didn’t make a formal offer, and Tucker decided to remain Jacksonville’s coordinator under new coach Mike Mularkey.
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