Tag: Kevin O’Connell

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half in an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Vikings secure head coach Kevin O’Connell with multiyear extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has agreed to a multiyear contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. O’Connell, 39, was set to enter the final year of his original contract with the Vikings, who hired him before the 2022 season.

“Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach — an innovative play-caller, an excellent communicator and a strong leader who motivates and connects with his players,” Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf said in a statement. “He has helped establish a culture that positions us for sustained success, and he will continue to set the standard we need as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans.”

Minnesota also is negotiating a contract extension with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, according to multiple reports.

O’Connell is 34-17 overall, including 14-3 this season when Minnesota earned the second-most wins in franchise history. The Vikings fell short of the conference’s No. 1 seed and the NFC North title, with the Detroit Lions earning both. Minnesota lost to the Los Angeles Rams 27-9 in the NFC wild-card round.

He said it is “an absolute honor” to continue to coach the Vikings.

“Holding this prestigious position is something I never take for granted, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Wilf family for their unwavering belief in what we are building together,” said O’Connell, who also thanked his wife and children, coaches, players and support staff.

“I can’t wait to get back to work with all of them as we continue to build upon the high standard we’ve set and the positive environment we’ve created,” he added. “To Vikings fans, you are the best in the NFL. There is no greater joy than leading our team in front of you each Sunday and experiencing the home-field advantage you create. I’m thrilled for the years ahead.”

His first year as head coach, the Vikings went 13-4, followed by 7-10 in 2023 and 14-3 this season. Minnesota was bounced in the first round of the NFC playoffs in 2022 and this season.

O’Connell is the only coach in Vikings history with multiple 13-win seasons. He is the fastest in franchise history to 30 career wins, reaching the mark in 46 games.

He was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams (2020-21) before coming to Minnesota. He also served as OC in Washington in 2019 after two seasons as quarterbacks coach. O’Connell broke in with the Cleveland Browns as QBs coach in 2015 and was an offensive assistant with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs the ball and is tackled by Minnesota Vikings inside linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and outside linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Vikings open to trading OLB Danielle Hunter

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings are open to trading Danielle Hunter, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, ESPN reported Saturday, although head coach Kevin O’Connell says he has been keeping in touch with the disgruntled outside linebacker.

Hunter, who will be playing in his eighth NFL season, will make $5.5 million after the team restructured his deal to move up money to him in 2022, per previous reports. He wants a new contract after signing a five-year, $72 million extension in June 2018.

He skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp in June as well as the beginning of training camp late this month.

Hunter registered 10 1/2 sacks last season as he was named a Pro Bowler for the third time in his last four seasons played (he missed entire 2020 season with neck injury). He has 71 career sacks and has registered 10 or more four times in his seven seasons, all with the Vikings, who made him a third-round draft pick in 2015.

O’Connell said Saturday, via NFL Media, that he remains hopeful for a resolution.

“We’re still kind of in that ongoing process,” O’Connell said. “I’m having daily dialogue personally with him. My hope is we continue to work towards (finding common ground) over the course of a long training camp. He’s played a lot of football, he’ll be ready to go.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Wes Phillips looks on during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Vikings to hire Wes Phillips as OC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings are set to hire Wes Phillips as their offensive coordinator, multiple outlets reported.

Phillips, the son of longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips, would join the staff of new coach Kevin O’Connell. Phillips was the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach with the Los Angeles Rams.

While O’Connell will call offensive plays, it’s expected that Phillips will occupy the role that O’Connell played as OC in Los Angeles under Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean McVay, per the reports Sunday and Monday.

Phillips had been an assistant on the Rams since the 2019 season. Phillips and O’Connell also worked together in Washington during the 2017-18 seasons. Phillips spent four seasons with the now-Commanders as tight ends coach.

–Field Level Media

Aug 19, 2021; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell looks on during a joint practice against the Las Vegas Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin O’Connell named 10th coach in Vikings history

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings officially named Kevin O’Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history Wednesday.

He replaces Mike Zimmer, who was fired last month after eight seasons.

O’Connell joins the Vikings after winning Super Bowl LVI as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator.

“We are ecstatic to add Kevin as our head coach,” Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf said in a news release. “He is a strong leader, an innovative coach and an excellent communicator. Kevin played the game at all levels, which gives him a unique connection to players, and he is highly respected throughout the league. Vikings fans should be excited for the future of this team under Kevin’s direction.”

O’Connell served under Rams coach Sean McVay for the past two seasons. Prior to that job, he was the offensive coordinator in Washington, where he coached quarterbacks in 2017 when the starter was Kirk Cousins, now Minnesota’s QB.

“As I spent time with Kevin during the interview process, it became immediately clear he will be a great partner in building this football team for long-term success,” said Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. “He understands what is critical to leading a team that wins at the highest level, and he has an ability to simplify the complex, which will help us in problem-solving in all football areas. He is a genuinely positive person who will help create a high-energy internal environment.”

O’Connell will be a stark contrast to the defensive-minded Zimmer, whose 72-56-1 record included an 8-9 finish in 2021.

“Kevin is an impressive and respected leader who has been a part of some explosive offensive schemes,” said Vikings owner and chairman Zygi Wilf. “He has a tremendous football IQ and is passionate about preparing, developing and communicating with his players. Beyond the Xs and Os, everyone we spoke with throughout this search process spoke highly of Kevin’s ability to motivate players, coaches and staff.”

O’Connell, 36, becomes the second-youngest head coach in the NFL, older than only McVay.

“I greatly appreciate the Wilf family, Kwesi and the entire Minnesota Vikings organization for providing the opportunity to be their next head coach,” O’Connell said. “This is a franchise with a deep history and a tremendous fan base. Having been on the visitors’ sideline at U.S. Bank Stadium and experiencing that environment as an opposing coach, I am excited to now have the support of these passionate Vikings fans. I am committed to working tirelessly to bring them a Super Bowl championship.”

The Vikings are 0-4 in the Super Bowl, with their most recent appearance coming after the 1976 season.

–Field Level Media

Aug 21, 2020; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell during training camp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Vikings to introduce head coach Kevin O’Connell

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kevin O’Connell will be introduced Thursday as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, ESPN reported.

The move had been expected. O’Connell is the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams and couldn’t be announced until after the team played in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday. The Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.

Minnesota also twice interviewed Los Angeles defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

O’Connell, 36, served under Sean McVay for the past two seasons. Prior to that job, he was offensive coordinator in Washington, where he coached quarterbacks in 2017 when the starter was Kirk Cousins, now Minnesota’s QB.

O’Connell will be a stark contrast to the last Vikings head coach, defensive-minded Mike Zimmer, who was fired after the 2021 season.

The Vikings finished 8-9 in 2021. Zimmer was 72-56-1 as Minnesota’s head coach.

O’Connell will become the second-youngest head coach in the NFL, older than only McVay.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Rich Bisaccia reacts during the game against the Denver Broncos Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jags interviewing Rich Bisaccia, botch Kevin O’Connell request

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars are interviewing former Las Vegas Raiders coach Rich Bisaccia on Monday but botched the timing to talk with Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, ESPN reported.

Bisaccia, who started the season as the special teams coordinator in Las Vegas, took over as interim head coach after the October resignation of Jon Gruden. The 61-year-old led the Raiders to a 7-5 finish to the regular season and the playoffs amid some high-profile distractions but lost out on the permanent job to Josh McDaniels, whom the Raiders reportedly are set to hire.

The Jaguars reportedly had three finalists for their head coach opening but two of those — Matt Eberflus and Nathaniel Hackett — accepted other offers last week. That left Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich as the leading candidate to replace Urban Meyer, who was fired after posting a 2-11 record and committing a series of off-field missteps.

However, the Jaguars interviewed ex-Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio last week and tried to get an interview with O’Connell, but missed the deadline to request an interview in the initial period, per the report.

Now, the Jaguars have to wait until after the Super Bowl to interview O’Connell. Meanwhile, O’Connell is a finalist for the Minnesota opening, with the Vikings interviewing him a second time during the initial period.

The Rams play the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13.

–Field Level Media