Vikings' Kevin O'Connell earns Coach of the Year after guiding Minnesota to 14-win season
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has been named the Associated Press Coach of the Year during Thursday night's NFL Honors program in New Orleans.
In his third season as Minnesota's coach, O'Connell guided the Vikings to a 14-3 record. With new additions in quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Aaron Jones added to the fold to join wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, O'Connell guided the team to a 5-0 start. After two losses over a five-day stretch in October, the Vikings racked up nine wins in a row. Minnesota stayed in the hunt for the NFC North title and No. 1 seed in the NFC up until the final week before losing the last game of the regular season to the Detroit Lions.
GO DEEPER
'Make the complex simple' and adapt on the fly: How Kevin O'Connell leads electric Vikings
Minnesota's 14 wins were the tied for the third-most in the league with the Philadelphia Eagles and trailed only the 15-win Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. The victory total was also the best mark in Vikings team history in 26 seasons.
Two weeks ago, the 39-year-old coach inked a multi-year extension. In three seasons, O'Connell has compiled a 34-17 regular season record and is one of only two coaches since 1950 — George Seifert is the other — to have multiple 13-win seasons in a three-year span with different starting quarterbacks.
Advertisement
'Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach — an innovative play caller, an excellent communicator and a strong leader who motivates and connects with his players,' Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf said when announcing the contract extension.
O'Connell topped finalists Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions), Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs), Sean Payton (Denver Broncos) and Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders) for the award. O'Connell received 25 of the 50 first-place votes and was no lower than third on a ballot.
Minnesota had two other finalists at the NFL Honors. Darnold was nominated for AP Comeback Player of the Year and finished third behind the winner — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and the runner-up, Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores was a finalist for AP Assistant Coach of the Year, but finished second to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
GO DEEPER
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell leans on unlikely source for guidance: Hall of Famer Bill Cowher
The Vikings entered the 2024 season with low expectations. Oddsmakers listed Minnesota's over-under at around 6 1/2 wins. There was uncertainty at quarterback. The Vikings were also navigating Khyree Jackson's tragic passing over the summer. O'Connell's leadership not only kept the Vikings afloat, but it also helped the organization thrive amid adversity. Darnold produced a career year with O'Connell calling the plays, and the Vikings won 14 games.
No statistic does more justice to what Minnesota accomplished under O'Connell this season than this one: O'Connell became the first NFL coach since at least 1950 to win 14 games in a season with a quarterback who was in his first season with the team. The Los Angeles Rams bounced the Vikings in the wild-card round, and Minnesota collapsed down the stretch. That the Vikings were even relevant in those final two games against the Lions and Rams is a testament to the job O'Connell did. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
3 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Za'Darius Smith hopes to return to Lions
Veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith had a short stint with the Lions in 2024 and he's hoping for a longer run with the team in 2025. Smith was acquired in a trade with the Browns during the regular season and had four sacks for the team in the second half of the year. The Lions released him in cap move earlier this year, but they didn't close the door on a return and Smith said this week that his preference would be to be back in Detroit. 'We both know where I want to be,' Smith said, via Tyler Dragon of USA Today. 'Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I'm there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.' The Lions traded for Smith as they tried to fill the hole left by Aidan Hutchinson's season-ending injury. A return would allow the two players to form a partnership that could boost the Lions' pass rush as they try for another NFC North title this fall.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Steelers DC Teryl Austin drops hilarious seven-word take on Aaron Rodgers
Steelers DC Teryl Austin drops hilarious seven-word take on Aaron Rodgers Steelers DC Teryl Austin has spent time in the NFC North trenches with Aaron Rodgers — and he's finally glad to be on the same side in Pittsburgh. Austin, who served as the Lions' defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2017, had a hilarious take on Rodgers at Steelers mandatory minicamp (courtesy of ESPN's Brooke Pryor): "Well, he's a pain in the a--." More eloquent words have never been spoken — well said, Austin. Well said. According to Pryor, the Steelers defensive coordinator continued to praise Rodgers' arm strength and accuracy — arguing that zero decline is evident since their NFC North battles, except for the four-time MVP's desire to rush less. Rodgers went 4-2 against the Austin-coached Lions defense — and it's safe to say the Steelers DC is looking forward to getting some sweet revenge during practice reps. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
New York Times
4 hours ago
- New York Times
How to watch the Minnesota Lynx in 2025: Broadcast and streaming info for Napheesa Collier's crew
The Minnesota Lynx are undefeated as they approach the quarter mark of their 2025 season. Napheesa Collier looks like the league MVP, with scintillating 50/40/90 shooting splits and elite interior defense. Kayla McBride seemingly cannot miss from long range. And Courtney Williams is still happy to be a dog. Despite its ultra-patient pace and two-way mechanics, Minnesota will be one of the WNBA's most exciting teams to watch through the summer and fall. Advertisement Accessing all the games and tracking blackout restrictions is considerably less exciting. It's undoubtedly awesome to see the WNBA broaden its broadcast scope, but figuring out how to watch games can get confusing if not downright frustrating. Here's our shot at making sense of it all, at least when it comes to the rest of this thrilling Lynx campaign. Make sure to follow the Lynx and WNBA on The Athletic. Senior writer Chantel Jennings is an integral voice in women's basketball. Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman each cover the W with passion, from power rankings and bench observations to in-depth feature reporting on star players. Now, before we tumble through the weeds, here's a paisley Prince-Cheryl Reeve crossover to lift our spirits. Fubo is a cable-cutting streaming platform that offers local and national channels, along with add-on sports packages. Any regional game on FanDuel Sports Network can be streamed with Fubo, along with the national ones on ESPN, ABC, CBS, ION and NBA TV. What you need to watch these games: Fubo. The 'pro' plan is $84.99 per month, with an additional charge for 4K Ultra HD Every team has a regional sports network, or an RSN, that carries local matchups. Aside from the nationally televised action, all Lynx games are on FDSN. The franchise has partnered with this station since it was known as Fox Sports North, then as Bally Sports North. Marney Gellner holds it down on play-by-play. She has been part of the network's many iterations since 2002. Gellner is a local trailblazer in sports broadcasting, as the first woman to call a Minnesota Twins game and the second woman to lead play-by-play in an NBA game (Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls, 2018). She's also a staple of Lynx basketball, having called 15 consecutive seasons and four WNBA title runs. Advertisement Lea B. Olsen is on color commentary for Year 16. She's an intrastate lifer who ascended from walk-on to team captain at the University of Minnesota during her collegiate basketball days. What you need to watch these games: Fubo, DirecTV Stream (starting $80-90 monthly), a FanDuel Sports Network team pass ($19.99 per month or $189 annually) FDSN North is available on the providers DirecTV, Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity. A four-pack of local Lynx matchups will be simulcast for free across the Twin Cities and Minnesota's regional territory. What you need to watch these games: a cable provider with FanDuel Sports Network; a broadcast antenna for KARE 11 over-the-air Remaining over-the-air games on channel 11: WNBA League Pass is the painless answer for all Lynx fans outside of Minnesota. A subscription covers every out-of-market regional broadcast for the regular season. However, blackout restrictions are in effect (sadly), so folks in the Minnesota area won't be able to stream Lynx games live on League Pass. Nationally televised games are also blacked out on the app. What you need to watch these games: WNBA League Pass ($12.99/month or $34.99 for the 2025 season) Ryan Ruocco is the primary play-by-play anchor for ESPN's WNBA programming. His call is punchy and controlled, and his love for the game bleeds through the screen. Ruocco has sharpened his product with the MLB's New York Yankees and the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, and he's narrated some of the modern classics in women's March Madness. His signature refrain, 'You bet!' gets Caitlin Clark fired up. UConn legend Rebecca Lobo does color commentary. She played center for the Huskies during their first perfect season and 1995 national title crowning. The Hall-of-Famer suited up for the inaugural New York Liberty campaign in 1997 and played for the Connecticut Sun, plus the now-defunct Houston Comets and Springfield Spirit. Holly Rowe is the lead sideline reporter; she talks to players and coaches after the final buzzer. Advertisement The network's second team features Pam Ward, LaChina Robinson and Angel Gray. Some games will be broadcast on ESPN3, a live streaming platform within ESPN's digital products (the app, the website, etc.). What you need to watch these games: a TV plan with ESPN; an ESPN+ standalone subscription, which includes ABC games (starting at $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually) Lynx games on ESPN (and ESPN+): There's a record 13 regular-season WNBA games on ABC this season, plus the 2025 All-Star Game. Conference finals and Finals play will be split between ABC and ESPN, which share the same ownership in Disney. The aforementioned ESPN talents are on the mic here, too. The ABC/ESPN pregame programming is called 'WNBA Countdown,' and it's a thoroughly radiant affair. Women's hoops expert Elle Duncan is the host. Alongside her is Chiney Ogwumike, the two-time WNBA All-Star who played for Connecticut and Los Angeles. It'll be especially fun when ABC or ESPN gets a Seattle game this summer — Chiney's sister, Nneka, now plays for the Storm after a decorated career with the Sparks. Rounding out the 'big three' is Andraya Carter. She shone during the 2024 NCAA championship broadcast and was among the last players to sign with Tennessee coach Pat Summitt. Other recurring personalities are Malika Andrews (host of 'NBA Today'), Monica McNutt (studio for the NBA's New York Knicks) and Carolyn Peck (Hall-of-Fame coach with a national title at Purdue). What you need to watch these games: a broadcast antenna or a TV/streaming plan that includes ABC Lynx games on ABC (and ESPN+): For the second straight year, CBS will show eight regular-season WNBA matchups. This channel's 2024 rookie duel between Caitlin Clark's Fever and Angel Reese's Sky was the league's most-watched game in 23 years. CBS Sports will have an additional dozen broadcasts. Commentators include Lisa Byington (voice of the Sky and the Milwaukee Bucks) and Jordan Kent (a three-sport collegiate athlete who played in the NFL and previously did play-by-play for the Portland Trail Blazers). Advertisement What you need to watch these games: a TV or streaming plan with CBS or a Paramount+ standalone subscription (starting at $7.99/month) Lynx games on CBS/CBS Sports Network: The Scripps network will feature Friday night doubleheaders to kick off each summer weekend. ION also has a WNBA studio show set in Atlanta. Cable vet Larry Smith is the host, and college basketball insiders Autumn Johnson and Meghan McKeown are in tow for breakdowns. What you need to watch these games: a broadcast antenna or a TV/streaming plan that includes ION through ABC Lynx games on ION: Amazon's streaming service will host several WNBA broadcasts this year as it expands into the sports multiverse. Prime Video will also have the final game of the Commissioner's Cup, an in-season tournament that runs throughout the first half of the regular season. What you need to watch these games: an Amazon Prime subscription (which starts at $14.99 per month or $139 annually) Lynx games on Prime Video: In a fitting cross-promotion, the NBA's in-house channel will simulcast WNBA showcases throughout 2025. What you need to watch these games: a TV/streaming plan with NBA TV; WNBA League Pass Lynx games on NBA TV: What an appropriately stacked squad for a franchise with four WNBA title banners. Napheesa Collier is on pace to join these luminaries, too. Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo by David Berding / Getty Images)
