The next head coach of the Minnesota Vikings could potentially emerge from the NFC Championship Game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings are expected to schedule second interviews with 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell this week, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
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Kevin O’Connell in the running for the Vikings’ head coaching role
O’Connell, 36, has been the Rams’ offensive coordinator since 2020. A former San Diego State quarterback, he interviewed previously with the Denver Broncos, who hired Nathaniel Hackett. He is also a candidate with the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Rams ranked seventh in scoring and ninth in total offense this past season. QB Matthew Stafford and Co. averaged 27.1 points per game during the regular season. The knock on O’Connell could be that he doesn’t call the plays. However, he works in tandem with coach Sean McVay, collaborating with him to build and direct game plans.
He’s highly regarded by McVay, Stafford
“Kevin’s a great coach, and he has a huge say and a huge influence on how we want to operate,” McVay said. “He understands how valuable he is to me.”
O’Connell has also coached for the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and the Washington Football Team. During his playing career, O’Connell played for the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Los Angeles Chargers. He’d go on to retire in 2012. He played in two games for New England in 2008 and completed 4 of 6 passes for 23 yards.
“He’s the guy who I’m talking to probably on the majority of game day, throughout the week on the practice field, all of it,” Stafford said. “He’s a great communicator. Done an unbelievable job of helping me get into this offense. I wouldn’t be here right now, playing in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, if it wasn’t for a guy like that spending a bunch of time with me and helping me out.”
DeMeco Ryans put himself firmly in the frame after the 49ers’ impressive Divisional Round performance
Ryans’ defense throttled the Green Bay Packers in a Divisional Round playoff win. Indeed, that performance on a national stage had a lot of fans around the league sitting up to take notice.
A former Texans linebacker and a first-round draft pick from Alabama, Ryans’ defense finished third in yards allowed and 10th in points allowed in his first season as defensive coordinator. Before becoming San Francisco’s DC, Ryans, 37, was previously a quality control coach and linebackers coach.
Who else is a head-coach possibility in Minnesota?
Other candidates for the Vikings’ job include Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who interviewed with the team virtually Saturday afternoon, per a source, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.