From Ian Rapoport:
“The Vikings and Rams OC Kevin O’Connell are finalizing their deal for him to be their new head coach, source said. Announcement coming. Press conference planned for Thursday.”
It’s a good thing. As of Tuesday morning there had been no O’Connell news. That combined with reports that Sean McVay was contemplating his coaching future had Vikings fans losing their minds. Was their team going to lose their new head coach before they even had him? Just a few years ago, Josh McDaniels pivoted on a head coach deal with the Indianapolis Colts after a Super Bowl win. It’s happened before. It can happen again. Vikings fans can be a paranoid bunch.
Nothing’s official until it’s official. Despite that, Kevin O’Connell will be the next head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He’ll be introduced as such on Thursday.
This has been an interesting head coach search. A lot of waiting. Waiting for candidates. Waiting for interviews. That exciting little dance with Jim Harbaugh. And finally, waiting for O’Connell to finish his work with the Rams. I’m glad the Vikings waited. For what it’s worth, he didn’t start as my top choice. By the time the Vikings got to their finalists, he might’ve been. The more I learn about the more I like him as the team’s next head coach.
Through the waiting, the Vikings have been adding assistant coaches. It’s a little strange to be adding assistant coaches without officially having a head coach but that’s where we are.
Vikings Coaching Staff, so far.
Offensive Coordinator:
Defensive Coordinator: Ed Donatell
Special Teams Coordinator:
Quarterbacks: Jerrod Johnson
Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs: Curtis Modkins
Receivers: Keenan McCardell
Pass Game Coodinator/Tight Ends: Brian Angelichio
Offensive Line: Chris Kuper
Defensive Line: Chris Rumph
Linebackers:
Defensive Backs:
Senior Defensive Assistant: Mike Pettine
Jerrod Johnson was added to assist quarterbacks. It remains to be seen whether that means he’s coaching the quarterbacks or assisting with the coaching of the quarterbacks. No matter the actual title and responsibilities, he should be a familiar presence for second-year quarterback Kellen Mond. Both quarterbacked at Texas A&M. Mond broke several of Johnson’s Aggie passing records.
It’s been rumored that O’Connell will bring Rams pass game coordinator/tight end coach Wes Phillips with him. Phillips’ rumored position with the Vikings is either offensive coordinator or pass game coordinator. So, it’ll either be a parallel move or an advancement. O’Connell and Phillips might not be the only Rams coaches coming to Minnesota. The Vikings plan to interview Rams assistant head coach/running backs Thomas Brown for offensive coordinator. He’d be an excellent addition for the Vikings. He’s also a candidate to replace O’Connell as the Rams offensive coordinator. If that was a done deal, I doubt that Brown would be interviewing with the Vikings.
The Vikings are inching toward finally officially having their head coach. Thankfully. The weeks-long wait has felt like months.
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