It's not been an easy season for Leslie Frazier, but the Vikings haven't given up on their coach.
Frazier has been assured he'll return next season, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Wednesday, citing a source with knowledge of the situation.
Frazier is 5-14 since taking over for the fired Brad Childress midway through 2010.
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is still paying Childress approximately $5 million as part of buyout that runs through next season, according to the newspaper, one possible factor in retaining Frazier.
Frazier's 3-3 mark last season in an interim role helped pave the way for his return in 2011, but it's not gone as planned, with the Vikings tumbling to a 2-11 mark and last place in the NFC North.
It won't get any easier for Frazier's Vikings this Sunday when they host the 10-3 Saints.