Kevin William O'Connell (born May 25, 1985), nicknamed " KOC ", [1] is an American football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. in the 2012 draft. O'Connell worked on special projects with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, where he overlapped with Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Coming off a Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, O'Connell joins the Vikings after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the past two seasons. Sure, it may not be good as a fresh bowl of General Tsaos Chicken, but it beats not having Chinese food at all. "And then, sure enough, she ended up in the same place. On August 31, 2010, New York released O'Connell. At the end of the day Wednesday, the Vikings head coach left the building with one of the easier media sessions youll ever run across in the NFL. Understanding the goals of culture and the goals of building up through our leadership and setting a foundation and platform for every individual in this building to feel like they can thrive and grow and eventually reach their truest, highest potential. We're still feeling that here, but I will say that hurt, that sting, that will drive us. While some coaches chose not to attend this years combine, OConnell places considerable value on meeting players in person. Were going to continue to look at whats the best route to go moving forward (with Thielen), OConnell said. But the quarterback position, both the understanding of where that player truly is when you get a chance to start coaching him, and then what your plan is for that player moving forward.. I think that's where we want to go eventually," Adofo-Mensah continued. But there was a sobering line of questioning from a New York reporter pertaining to Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Sometimes how you have to reinvent yourself week in and week out, OConnell said. But the things we did accomplish, I think, were incredibly impactful. [19], O'Connell was hired to the offensive staff of the San Francisco 49ers on February 26, 2016. The Vikings tried to identify another quarterback when trading up for Teddy Bridgewater in 2014. Finding a suitable compromise appears to be the current strategy. On February 17, 2015, it was announced that O'Connell was named to the position of quarterbacks coach of the Cleveland Browns for the 2015 NFL season. The rushing attack. I think we laid a foundation for where we want to go. He said it's between a startup and one with an ability to earn, adding "in our business, earning is wins. But even if he didnt injure his knee at Winter Park, its fair to wonder if he would have ever become the long-term franchise quarterback. converting part of right tackle Brian O'Neill's base salary to a signing bonus. ", "We've shown that we have a culture and an ability to do those things at a really high level," Adofo-Mensah said. "As crazy as this sounds, leading the league in yards and receptions, I think he and I have just scratched the surface of where we want to go as an offense, particularly with him as our premier receiver," O'Connell said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. The offensive coordinator from the 2022 Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, Kevin O'Connell, is finalizing his head coaching contract with the Minnesota Vikings. O'Connell, a former backup NFL quarterback who spent time with five different teams, knows the business from a player's side and coach's side. O'Connell, who led the Rams to finish ninth in total offense (372.1 yards per game) this season, helped his unit rank second in plays of 50-plus yards (10), fourth in yards per play (5.98) and eighth in offensive touchdowns (51) in 2021. Some believe that is too rich for an aging playmaker and have subsequently speculated about Thielen's fate in 2023. If Levis or Richardson is the type of quarterback that answers those questions, the Vikings will likely do their best to move up. However, neither seem like a good option now. OConnell explained Wednesday that that process ranged from reviewing game-management decisions to gauging his teams success in various schemes and plays. On Wednesday, OConnell said hes hoping that their shared experience in 2022 will help both sides satisfy their needs. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had career years in 2021. O'Connell, who led the Rams to finish ninth in total offense (372.1 yards per game) in 2021, helped his unit rank second in plays of 50-plus yards (10), fourth in yards per play (5.98) and eighth in offensive touchdowns (51) in 2021. Set to earn just $2.399 million in 2023, with a potential fifth-year team option in 2024, Jefferson is due a massive pay increase in line with his value. Those are all questions we got to answer. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and his wife Leah welcomed their fourth child to the family on Friday night, . The Vikings had several needs coming off a 15-win season in 1998. Follow Alec on Twitter @alec_lewis. He recently coached Stafford to a Super Bowl win, helping him post a 4-0 record in the postseason and 108.3 passer rating, which trailed only QB Josh Allen and QB Patrick Mahomes. As a player, O'Connell was drafted in the third round (94th pick) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of San Diego State. In football, as a junior, he passed for 980 yards and seven touchdowns. These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. O'Connell led the Vikings to a 134 record on the season, tying Matt LaFleur and Jim Harbaugh for the second-most wins for a rookie head coach in NFL history. The Minnesota Vikings named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 16, 2022. He takes it very seriously how much people and young kids look up to him. This organization saw a shift in how it was being defended from previous years to this year, OConnell said. The Vikings have not gone to the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2008-09. Theres a reason why I feel so strongly about Kirk, OConnell said. INDIANAPOLIS Following his news conference Wednesday afternoon at the NFL Scouting Combine, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin OConnell met with a small group of beat writers. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Jul 21 2008 Signed a 4 year $2.46 million contract with New England (NE) I think theres a conversation to be had to really see what that looks like: playing time and roles and responsibilities.. Those are things we got to answer. By COURTNEY CRONIN. We laugh. Kupp's wide receiver Triple Crown in 2021, which he won after leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16), joined him with WR Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers, 1990), WR Sterling Sharpe (Green Bay Packers, 1992) and WR Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers, 2005) as the only players since the 1970 merger to achieve this feat. Here are five things to know. There also were road losses at Detroit and Green Bay after the calendar flipped to December. "He is a strong leader, an innovative coach and an excellent communicator. EAGAN, Minn. Eleven months and a day after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah helped introduce Kevin O'Connell from a temporary stage constructed in Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center's Indoor Practice Facility, the men sat together at a table on a small riser in the Media Center. There are some hard conversations sometimes. Sometimes how you have to mold and adapt how you play while still staying true to your football philosophy at its core and its not always easy to do, but hes demonstrated that hes been very successful doing it time and time again.. The home runs and long ones are great, but as a play caller, Id love to be second-and-5. He noted that hes always going to evaluate all the quarterbacks out of habit and that he finds himself often looking at evaluations from years past, even when someone is coming available who came out in the draft a long time ago. He also held the same position for Washington in 2019 after serving as the team'spassing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. It's supposed to sting.' While they can feel reinforced by the results of the foundation laid in their first year, they also know a multitude of decisions await and all teams change from year to year. . But Minnesota watched as Cam Newton, Jake Locker, and Blaine Gabbert flew off the board. From Week 14 through the wild-card loss to the Giants, the Vikings faced 190 snaps against defenses that played with the middle of the field open, by far the highest in the league during that period. ", "Kevin is an impressive and respected leader who has been a part of some explosive offensive schemes," said Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf. He isnt on the same tier as Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow, but is good enough to hold down the position until they can find that player. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. He played one season for the Patriots behind QB Matt Cassel following a season-ending injury to QB Tom Brady. [27][28] O'Connell's Vikings hiring reunited him with quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom O'Connell had coached in 2017 (Cousins' final year with the Washington Redskins). On August 5, 2011, O'Connell signed with the Miami Dolphins, but was waived on September 3. Already Subscribed? Players cited the tight-knit nature of the locker room and their confidence during late-game situations as a result of the buildings updated vibes under OConnell. [29]. 4. So theres not one right way.. The Vikings head coach compared all of the moving parts to puzzle pieces but its more like a choose-your-own-adventure book because each choice with Player X impacts Player Y and the combination of all of the decisions takes you to a different endpoint. Cousins is entering the final year of his contract, and NFL Networks Tom Pelissero reported earlier in the week that he would not anticipate the type of one-year, fully-guaranteed extensions that the 35-year-old has signed in the past. [21] In 2019, under interim head coach Bill Callahan, O'Connell was promoted to offensive coordinator. Eagan, Minn. (February 15, 2022) The Minnesota Vikings have named Kevin O'Connell as the 10th head coach in franchise history. [17] He was released on August 12, 2012. Also, by disabling these cookies you will also disable banner ads served by Google Adsense on this website.. For more information about these items, view our complete privacy policy.Read More. We haven't shown our ability to come in year-in, year-out and do those things. The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year winner, Jefferson dominated opponents, generating 10 games over the 100-yard mark in O'Connell's first season in Minnesota. O'Connell is the son of a former FBI agent. The Vikings officially. Anchored by T Andrew Whitworth, the oldest offensive lineman in the NFL, the Rams offensive line only allowed 56 sacks in the two years O'Connell was in Los Angeles, which was good for the seventh-fewest among NFL clubs. He and Adofo-Mensah greet each prospect when they enter the room both to establish their culture of care and provide other Vikings staffers in the room a glimpse at the players size. That was somebody that was as important as anybody for me to bring to this organization I didnt know there was going to be a survey, it didnt matter to me, but I knew what that would look like with Tyler, Kwesi and myself and how we build things.. While the survey is the ultimate feather in OConnells cap in terms of retaining players on long-term contracts and signing free agents, hes aware that not everyone is going to be able to return and the team doesn't have oodles of cap space to spend this offseason. Right comes along. O'Connell was signed by the San Diego Chargers on July 29, 2012, to serve as an emergency back-up in the Chargers' practices with Charlie Whitehurst suffering an injury and Kyle Boller announcing his retirement from the league. Even as other quarterbacks such as Willis, Desmond Ridder, and Sam Howell were there in the latest rounds of the draft, the Vikings didnt pull the trigger. Maybe its not even for any one particular year.. Some would take this as a sign the Vikings are ready to move on. How long does he meet that threshold? Kevin O'Connell, fresh off a Super Bowl victory as the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator, was introduced as the Minnesota Vikings next head coach on Thursday, and the big takeaway from . What he means to our league, how he carries himself, how he works every day. We always have to be evaluating, OConnell said. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Login Here. "This is a franchise with a deep history and a tremendous fan base. So have expectations going forward, until "someday" can become "the day.". In 2019, O'Connell helped guide rookie WR Terry McLaurin to 58 receptions, 919 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, the second-most receptions and third-most receiving yards and touchdowns among rookies in franchise history. My main goal was just to connect with him and build on a relationship that I thought was strong already. No cards were shown when OConnell was asked about Flores and the cornerback position as it pertains to the draft but it would appear that Flores will be looking for players with flexibility, whether thats in terms of position or skill set. But theres a foundation of care., OConnell said the conversations with Cousins are ongoing., Its not like theres some secret thing going on, OConnell said. Predictability, then, provides comfort to defenses. Adofo-Mensah, who previously worked on Wall Street, was asked to assess where the Vikings stock is. If not, they could ride Cousins another year and try their luck to acquire their guy in 2024. O'Connell, 36, was a member of the 49ers coaching staff (special projects) in 2016 and overlapped that season with new Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. They could have done what the Pittsburgh Steelers did by drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round last year, but they knew he wasnt the guy. O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah have emphasized collaboration throughout their first year together, and the first-time head coach picked up where the first-time GM left off: "As I told our team it's supposed to sting. Thats the byproduct of trying to do things the way we do. "I think we showed a building full of people, players, coaches, staff, ownership group, this guy next to me, would have the ability to be their best when their best is required. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, The Sopranos, and The Doors (the band). It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. And its even stronger now, OConnell said. "Reflecting on what we were able to accomplish as a football team an NFC North title and 13 wins it goes beyond that. Since then, there have been postseason appearances after the 2012 (loss in Wild Card), 2015 (loss in Wild Card), 2017 (loss in NFC Championship), 2019 (loss in Divisional) and 2022 (loss in Wild Card) seasons. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. The direct work together began in April when Minnesota could start its offseason workout program and was followed by Organized Team Activities before a summer break that was followed by training camp, he preseason, regular season and postseason. Aside from the quarterback situation which is like talking about building a house and saying other than the ground it stands on the Vikings will also consider the wants/needs/system of Brian Flores as they look for improvement on defense. "We have to make sure we do it in an order that we can do it in given all the other decisions we have to make.". Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on the futures of Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. As a senior, he was named his team's Most Valuable Player, and selected to All-League, All-North County, and All-San Diego teams. O'Connell was instrumental in aiding mid-season free agent signee WR Odell Beckham, Jr., to five receiving touchdowns in eight games played with the team, the most since his 2018 season with theNew York Giants. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have only held their posts for a year, but they deserve the faith of the Vikings community. Craig Peters. OConnell said he values the way the aforementioned players embraced his hiring last year and appreciates the way they helped bring about an entirely new culture. And none of the endings feature everyone who was around last year. Adofo-Mensah had to explain how the Vikings, a team in salary cap hell, were going to shed salary while building off the teams first 13-win season since 2017. Thielen will turn 33 this summer and incur a $19.9 million cap hit against the Vikings salary cap. That will motivate us to lead this organization to the place we want to go. A lot of guys come in here and say they want to start in the NFL on Day 1. And just in all of our dialogue Monday with our players, getting a chance to meet with each and every one of them, they understand that, and they're motivated for that. That OConnell even cited this statistic demonstrates the team is thinking about how to fully maximize its offense. This website is not directly or indirectly affiliated, associated, or connected in any way to Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League or the National Hockey League. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Before the Super Bowl, Thielen said onESPNsFirst Take, I want to retire a Viking. O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2009. New Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, some two weeks after reaching an agreement with the club to replace Mike Zimmer, can finally wear some purple. The Vikings left the Zimmer-Spielman era in desperate need of improved morale. The survey of more than 1,300 players that looked at numerous aspects of an organization from facilities to treatment of families to training staff gave the Vikings the highest grade of any team in the NFL. "Like [O'Connell] said in his final meeting, 'It's supposed to hurt. O'Connell and the Rams are coming off a victory in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. O'Connell has an older sister, Kelly, who is an attorney. And I also want my opportunity to show that I can play at a high level. Minnesota Vikings' Kevin O'Connell 'excited to coach' Kirk Cousins in 2022. The 2020 Rams offense featured the 10th-ranked rushing attack, posting 126.1 yards per game on the ground, behind two 600-plus rushing seasons from RB Cam Akers and RB Darrell Henderson. I think the priority first and foremost is giving him time to evaluate our roster with our young players and some of our veteran players and see how pieces may fit, OConnell said. His teammates voted him as a captain for what he means not only to our organization but the Twin Cities. O'Connell won his first game as head coach against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the 2022 season by a score of 237. OConnell is well aware. That ultimately led the Vikings to Cousins. "When you involve people, it can make the job a lot tougher, but I also think the people aspect is what culture is and that's important," Adofo-Mensah added. In the meantime, quarterbacks such as Heath Shuler, Trent Dilfer, and Jim Druckenmiller went off the board until Green finally saw a quarterback he liked in the 1999 draft, Daunte Culpepper. A necessary condition is having a starter-level quarterback, Adofo-Mensah began. Is it to that standard? ", "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. At first, Adofo-Mensah makes it sound like Cousins is the NFLs version of microwaving Chinese leftovers at midnight. The third strategy is the one the Vikings currently employ, and it may be the option with the least room for error. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. Ive spent a lot of time with Rob [Brzezinski] and Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah], and well continue to do that in anticipation of being at a certain place by the league year like we need to be and then, How do we go forward building it from there?. I am committed to working tirelessly to bring them a Super Bowl championship.". When Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stepped up to the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine, he had several questions to answer about the Minnesota Vikings future. In other words, hes going to look in the store window at this years draft class because he always does, whether he is shopping or not. O'Connell was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft and played quarterback at San Diego State University. So, well see what happens.. 2. We want to be there consistently with the chance to win it.". Vikings Players Close Out Season with Locker Room Clean Out. O'Connell's father, Bill, was a longtime FBI agent, and his mother, Suzanne, is a teacher. During the 2018 season, O'Connell was tasked with getting three different quarterbacks (Josh Johnson, Colt McCoy and Mark Sanchez) up to speed following a devastating injury to starting QB Alex Smith. Here are five takeaways from the conversation, beginning with OConnells thoughts on the free-agent decisions and potential cuts that will be made in the next couple of weeks. Part of their jobs during the comprehensive evaluation process will be setting aside those personal relationships and not letting them interfere with the process of building the 2023 Vikings to have the best chance at a championship and be within the constraints of the NFL's salary cap. Sep 9 2010 Resigned a 2 year $1.25 million contract with New York (NYJ) Aug 31 2010 Waived by New York (NYJ) Sep 6 2009 Traded to NYJ from Detroit for a conditional draft pick. As we did on Tuesday with Vikings general manager Kwesi. Top Salaries Free Agents Extensions Tools Best Values Transactions Chargers Kevin O'Connell Embed This Chargers, QB Age: 37-208d Exp: Years Drafted: Round 3 (#94 overall), 2008 College: San Diego State Agent (s): - More Chargers - Contract Details Transactions Statistics Transactions Sep 4 2011 Claimed off waivers by New York (NYJ) The offensive line's sack rate, 4.5%, was the fifth-lowest in the NFL over the past two years. Ive been very honest about that. A former NFL quarterback who was a career backup, O'Connell has been the Rams' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. ", "I don't want to be the Vikings GM without this guy on our team, so it's a priority," Adofo-Mensah said. Under the guidance of O'Connell, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp both had a career years in 2021. Pelissero noted that Brown, who interviewed for the Miami Dolphins head coaching position, is considered a "rising assistant" and is a candidate to replace O'Connell in Los Angeles. One of those decisions involves quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Vikings announced their agreement in principle with Cousins on a one-year contract extension Sunday the latest high-leverage deal that Cousins has successfully bet on himself with and the clearest sign yet that the Vikings aren . As he reviewed the way defenses matched up against his team, OConnell noticed a trend. There are a few fundamental things that will influence decisions, starting with whether Cousins signs an extension. [4][5] At SDSU, where he was a four-year team captain, he started 21 games, the sixth-most among SDSU quarterbacks, and ranked first in school history in career rushing yards and second in career rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks; in 2007 he led the team in rushing yards. The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot reach a long-term deal before March 7's deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources. None of that is to say OConnell is not evaluating quarterbacks in this years draft. 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. The process was complicated by the lack of free agency and offseason movement due to the NFLs player lockout. O'Connell was asked today if Donatell will be back and didn't . They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. While OConnell answered gracefully about his colleague, it was a reminder that they didnt finish the year with a deep playoff run. In addition to impacting the culture within the building through an emphasis on building connectivity across the roster, the Vikings installed O'Connell's offense with Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips, a defensive system led by Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell and changed their special teams under first-year coordinator Matt Daniels. But Adofo-Mensah gave his own review about his starting quarterback. O'Connell graduated from San Diego State University in December 2007 with a degree in political science. Adofo-Mensah admitted his elevation to GM brought him more exposure to the human elements than when he was advancing through the research-and-development departments with the 49ers and Browns.
Derek Schiller Braves Salary, Beer Olympics Schedule, Republic Services Recycling Schedule 2022, Viking Disease And Life Expectancy, Articles K