The Minnesota Vikings were never going to let Kevin O’Connell leave, and recently got his extension done. The coaching staff made a significant impact this season, and that led to plenty of O’Connell’s assistants being tied to other jobs.
Although multiple promotions were on the table for Vikings assistants, it appears that O’Connell will return the entirety of his group. Continuity is definitely something a 14-win team can appreciate.
Vikings assistants are sticking with Kevin O’Connell
Throughout the coaching carousel multiple Minnesota Vikings coaches took interviews with other teams. Kennan McCardell sought a promotion but didn’t land an interview. Both Brian Flores and Josh McCown were in line for prominent jobs, though.
The New York Jets hired Aaron Glenn to be their head coach. Despite suggestions that Brian Flores could land in Chicago, they opted to poach Detroit Lions coach Ben Johnson. The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Liam Coen, and that shut the door on opportunities that the Vikings coaches interviewed for.
Flores has now spent a pair of seasons interviewing for head coaching jobs after strong showings as the Vikings defensive coordinator. As he continues to come up empty, it’s hard not to think that the pending lawsuit he is involved with against the league isn’t a factor.
McCown earned more respect this season, and his work with Sam Darnold was noticeable. The Vikings could maybe move him to their offensive coordinator role and move on from Wes Phillips if they want to keep him around long term.
Either way, for now, the Vikings keep all of their prominent figureheads for 2025. That includes executive Ryan Grigson as well.
Grant Udinski is last possibility to leave Minnesota Vikings
If there is a coach to leave, it will be assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski. He has already interviewed with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, but landed a shot at the Tampa Bay offensive coordinator job over the weekend.
At just 28 years old, Udinski would be among the youngest coordinators in the league. With the Buccaneers Udinski would replace the departing Coen. The former Los Angeles Rams coach is 39 years old and came back to the NFL this year after spending a season as the Kentucky offensive coordinator.
It’s understandable that progressive and impressive offensive coaches from Minnesota continue to be of interest to other teams. Kevin O’Connell calls plays for the Vikings, so many of them are limited from an upward promotion perspective.
There’s no guarantee that Udinski lands any of the jobs he has interviewed for. If that winds up being the case, then none of the interviews from this cycle will have resulted in changes. The Lions certainly wish that were the case.
