Vikings Pro Bowler praises HC Kevin O'Connell for developing elite culture that's paying major dividends

Going into year four as Minnesota Vikings head coach, Kevin O'Connell has done a fantastic job. His 34-17 record is among the best in the National Football League over the last three years, including 13 and 14-win seasons. 

Under Mike Zimmer, success was not achieved at this kind of level. They had an 11-win season in 2015 and a 13-win season in 2017, but the lows were lower than the injury-riddled 2023 season that saw the success of Josh Dobbs.

T.J. Hockenson explains what separates Kevin O'Connell

Success in the NFL isn't gifted. It's something that comes from a lot of hard work and building camaraderie. Tight end T.J. Hockenson made an appearance on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long and expressed why O'Connell has made such an impact on this team.

"He played in this league for a long time, so he knows what it's about. He understands that side of it. He understands us as players, and he can communicate with us as players, you know. So that's like, one of the best things that we love KO, because it's like he talks to us like, you know, we're on his level, and it's not like you're talking down to to each other. It's what he asks of us, is what he's going to get from us. We have that kind of relationship with him as players, like, if he asks us to do something, or he has something of us, we're going to make sure that's a that's something that we're going to get done. He's one of those guys that he'll actually go golf, he'll talk to you outside the building. He wants to build relationships with his players. And you don't always get that from a head coach. You don't always get that from a guy that's that's higher up, and KO is one of those people that's just super down to earth." 

The fact that O'Connell played in the NFL gives him a leg up when talking to players. He understands exactly what they are going through because he did it himself. That helps when he asks you to do something and get things done, something that Hockenson elaborated on.

"You know, (KOC) is going to expect a lot out of you, which you want. So he'll tell you like it is. He's not going to work around the bush, he's going to be a straight shooter with you. And so that's something that we respect as players. We just want to know what's going on and good, right? Or the other, we just want to know exactly what you're thinking and, he's going to tell you like it is, and that's the best part of having him around the building, and just the affection that he gives. You really, truly feel like he cares about you when you step in that building. And even after football, you know, you talk to guys that have left, and they're like, KO still reaches out and talks to you a little better when he sees you, it's just like it was a couple of years ago. So, you know, that's another piece of the puzzle that you just got to have a great head coach like him, and to see him win Coach of the Year this last year, and, you know, to see the success that you know, he's been able to have, and then to be able to extend from send his contract and stay a lot longer is  a lot of fun just to be able to have that stability. We're always the, you know, we feel as if we're the most prepared team walking into Sunday, having him around. So it's a lot of fun."

It's amazing how good of a coach everyone talks about O'Connell being, as there hasn't been a bad word spoken about him since he joined the Vikings.