Minnesota Vikings Coaches, So Far

When the Cleveland Browns hired Kevin Stefanski as their head coach, on the basis of calling plays for 21 games, the Minnesota Vikings were in need of a new offensive coordinator. It wasn't a surprise that the Browns hired Stefanski. It sounded like the geniuses that did the hiring this year wanted to hire him last year, on the basis of calling plays for three games. Stefanski, if given the opportunity, will be a good head coach. The question is whether Browns owner Jimmy Haslam will give him an opportunity. He seems to have the attention span of a puppy. Anyway, the Vikings needed a new offensive coordinator. In his end-of-the-season press conference, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer stressed the importance of maintaining the offensive identity that was established last season under Stefanski. It came as no surprise when it was reported yesterday that Gary Kubiak is the new offensive coordinator in Minnesota. He was hired last year as assistant head coach/offensive adviser. His primary role was to combine his zone blocking/play action system with Stefanski's ideas and offensive football philosophy. As important, Kubiak was hired to assist Stefanski through his first full season as an offensive coordinator. Kubiak also brought with him a trio of coaches. Son, Klint Kubiak coached the quarterbacks. Rick Dennison coordinated the run game and coached the offensive line. Brian Pariani coached the tight ends. Zimmer loved what he saw from his offensive coaches and what he saw on the field from the players. He wanted to continue and build on what was started in 2019. Hiring Kubiak does that.

The Vikings still have three open positions on the coaching staff. Within a window of a couple hours Wednesday night, it was reported that receivers coach Drew Petzing had signed a contract to return and had not signed a contract to return. I'm guessing that the latter of the two reports is true and that Petzing is not returning in 2020. So, the Vikings need a receivers coach. George Edwards has been the defensive coordinator for all of Zimmer's six years as head coach of the Vikings. Jerry Gray has been the defensive backs coach for the same duration. Neither is returning in 2020. There's been rumors that defensive line coach Andre Patterson and linebackers coach Adam Zimmer are being considered for the defensive coordinator position. It's even been speculated that each could get a co-defensive coordinator title. However that plays out, the Vikings defense will remain Mike Zimmer's defense. Assistant defensive backs coach Jeff Howard could be promoted to replace Gray. I kinda hope that Zimmer can pry Terence Newman away from his retirement.

Minnesota Vikings Coaches, So Far

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

Offensive Coaches: 
Offensive Coordinator: Gary Kubiak
Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator: Rick Dennison
Quarterbacks: Klint Kubiak
Running Backs: Kennedy Polamalu
Wide Receivers:
Tight Ends: Brian Pariani
Assistant Offensive Line: Andrew Janocko
Offensive Quality Control: Christian Jones
Offensive Quality Control: AC Patterson

Defensive Coaches:
Defensive Coordinator:
Defensive Line: Andre Patterson
Linebackers: Adam Zimmer
Defensive Backs:
Assistant Defensive Line: Robert Rodriguez
Assistant Defensive Backs: Jeff Howard
Defensive Quality Control: Nick Rallis

Special Teams Coaches:
Special Teams Coordinator: Marwan Maalouf
Assistant Special Teams: Ryan Ficken

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