Minnesota Vikings Personnel Promotions

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings announced several much-deserved promotions and hires in the Personnel Department. The series of moves were necessary because earlier this offseason the Denver Broncos pilfered George Paton and Kelly Kleine. Jamal Stephenson and Ryan Monnens were promoted to Co-Directors of Player Personnel. Together they will oversee all college and pro scouting operations and personnel decisions. They replace Paton as General Manager Rick Spielman’s top decision-makers.

Stephenson and Monnens are each entering their 20th season with the Vikings. Stephenson is being promoted after serving as Director of College Scouting for the past seven years. Monnens is being promoted after serving as Director of Pro Scouting for the past eight years. Each was deserving of the top Director job so each was promoted to the top Director job. Each has expertise on their respective side of scouting so each will help the other while doing the job together. 

Those promotions triggered the expected series of promotions.

Assistant Director of College Scouting Mike Sholiton is being promoted to Director of College Scouting. Assistant Director of Pro Scouting Reed Burckhardt is being promoted to Director of Pro Scouting. Paul Nelson was promoted to Executive Director of Football Information Systems. Sholiton is entering his 18th season, Burckhardt is entering 13th season, and Nelson is entering his 20th season with the Vikings. 

The Vikings also announced the promotions of Pat Roberts to Assistant Director of College Scouting and the hiring of Chris Blanco as Assistant Director of Pro Scouting. Roberts is entering his ninth season with the Vikings. Blanco is coming to Minnesota after nine years with the Houston Texans. 

The Vikings also announced the following changes to the player personnel and football operations staff:

Luke Burson-Senior Manager, Football Information Systems

Caroline DeFelice-Player Personnel Assistant

Jake Essler-College Scout

Mitch Johnson-Martin-College Scout/BLESTO

Chisom Opara-National Scout

Rob Roche-Assistant Head Athletic Trainer

Kaitlin Zarecki-Special Assistant to the General Manager and the Player Development Manager

Congratulations to all of the promoted individuals.