Vikings coach Leslie Frazier and his staff received some positive news this afternoon when it was announced they had officially been chosen to coach the North squad in the Senior Bowl later this month. The event annually features the nation's best senior college football standouts and top NFL draft prospects and is considered a premier showcase as NFL teams prepare for April's draft.

The game itself will kickoff at 3 p.m. on Jan. 28 in Mobile, Ala. But a week's worth of events will begin on Jan. 22. In a statement released by the Senior Bowl, Frazier expressed excitement in the news that the Vikings coaches would have a hands-on opportunity to interact with players.

"It gives us the chance to work with some of the most talented football players in the country as they prepare to enter the NFL," Frazier said. "We are looking forward to working with and getting to know all of the players we'll have the opportunity to coach. We are excited to go into a great environment in Mobile and work with some incredible prospects."

Mike Shanahan and his Redskins coaching staff will lead the South squad at the event.

"We're really excited about having both of these staffs here in Mobile working with the future stars of the National Football League," Senior Bowl president and CEO Steve Hale said. "With the amount of experience that both Coach Shanahan and Coach Frazier bring to the table, our players will receive the very best instruction as they prepare for the next level."

In last year's NFL draft, the Vikings selected five players who had participated in the Senior Bowl, including quarterback Christian Ponder.

Frazier last coached at the event in 2004 when he was the defensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals.