Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff

Most of the focus of training camp is on the players. New players, old players, all players receive most, if not all, of the attention. It only seems right to take a training camp look at the Minnesota Vikings' coaches that will be on the field with the players. One of the Vikings' most intriguing moves of the offseason was a coaching hire, or a Costco-like bulk coaching hire. When Gary Kubiak was hired as Assistant head coach/offensive adviser three additional coaches came with him.

Klint Kubiak
Rick Dennison
Brian Pariani

The junior Kubiak actually got his coaching start in the NFL with the Vikings as a quality control coach in 2013. It was there that he befriended then assistant quarterbacks coach, and current offensive coordinator, Kevin Stafanski. The two have remained close and it's been reported that it was that friendship that led to this 4-coach addition. Rick Dennison and Brian Pariani have been coaching with the senior Kubiak since leather helmets were in fashion. Dennison will coach the offensive line and coordinate the run game. Pariani will coach the tight ends.

The addition of Gary Kubiak, and the coaches that came with him, is one of the sneaky strong offseason additions in the league. As a player, assistant coach, and head coach he's reached seven Super Bowls. He's been on the coaching staff of four Super Bowl champs. He was the head coach of the Denver Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50. He's assisted or coached some of the most efficient and proficient offenses of the past 30 years. Some of the talking heads that cover the team have questioned what his actual role with the Vikings is, or will be. Well, I'm guessing that his title provides a hint. He'll assist Mike Zimmer. He'll advise Stefanski and the offensive coaches. Simple. The Vikings lost so much when Tony Sparano passed away last year. Zimmer lost a friend and a coaching confidant. From Norv Turner to Sparano to Kubiak it seems that Zimmer enjoys having a coach with similar career and life experiences in the building. Someone to chat with. Someone to talk football with or whatever. When asked about his interactions with Kubiak, Zimmer seems to light up. Or light up as much as Zimmer ever lights up. As for the offensive adviser part, Kubiak's influence will be all over the offense but Stefanski is the offensive coordinator. Anyone that thinks otherwise isn't being fair to Stefanski. There are sensitive, insecure football coaches. Stefanski doesn't appear to be one of them. If he felt that his new, long-sought offensive coordinator position was threatened by the addition of Kubiak, why did he encourage and embrace it? The media so often creates the drama in things. There is zero evidence of issues among the Vikings' coaches yet there are some talking heads that have suggested it. I always thought that the media's job was to report the news, not create it. Stick to the football stuff. The football stuff is always far more interesting than some pathetic locker room soap opera. Until proven otherwise, I happily endorse Kevin Stefanski running the Vikings offense and Gary Kubiak adivising. As the titles of each clearly state.

There are quite a few changes on the Vikings coaching staff since this time last year.

Gary Kubiak
New Offensive Coordinator
New Special Teams Coordinator
New Quarterback Coach
New Offensive Line Coach
New Tight Ends Coach
Drew Petzing switched from QB assistant to receivers coach
Nate Kaeding added as a Kicking Consultant

The defensive coaches remained the same!

Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

Coordinators
Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Stefanski
Defensive Coordinator: George Edwards
Special Teams Coordinator: Marwan Maalouf

Offensive Assistants
Assistant head coach/offensive adviser: Gary Kubiak
Quarterbacks: Klint Kubiak
Running Backs: Kennedy Polamalu
Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator: Rick Dennison
Receivers: Drew Petzing
Tight Ends: Brian Pariani
Assistant Offensive Line: Andrew Janocko
Offensive Quality Control: Christian Jones
Offensive Quality Control: A. C. Patterson

Defensive Assistants
Defensive Line: Andre Patterson
Assistant Defensive Line: Robert Rodriguez
Linebackers: Adam Zimmer
Defensive Backs: Jerry Gray
Assistant Defensive Backs: Jeff Howard
Defensive Quality Control: Nick Rallis

Special Teams Assistants
Assistant Special Teams: Ryan Ficken
Kicking Consultant: Nate Kaeding

Strength and Conditioning
Head Strength and Conditioning: Mark Uyeyama
Assistant Strength and Conditioning: Chaz Mahle

Assistant Strength and Conditioning: Derik Keyes