Latest news with #Udinski
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Jaguars HC Liam Coen on what stood out about Grant Udinski
At the 2025 NFL combine on Tuesday, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen was asked about offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and what stood out about him in the hiring process. 'Grant's a guy that I've followed now for the last few years,' said Coen. 'Obviously being very close with Kevin (O'Connell) and that process, understanding that it's a similar process, the way that we do things, the way that we want to operate, the things that we're looking for throughout the work week, and getting ahead of those things.' There's a very similar mindset and coaching philosophy between Coen and Udinski that stands out when the two speak. Both have echoed the importance of building the offense around Trevor Lawrence, the need for being multiple on that side of the ball, as well as the mantra 'players not plays.' That overlap is likely rooted in their past coaching experiences. While neither Coen nor Udinski had previously worked together, their coaching ideologies both stem from Sean McVay and the Rams' offense. Coen said during his introductory press conference that he considers himself a part of the McVay tree after spending two separate seasons in LA. Although Udinski never coached with the Rams, he worked closely with the Vikings' head coach, Kevin O'Connell, who was a former offensive coordinator under McVay. That synergy can be a real catalyst for the Jaguars' offense moving forward, not only in what takes place on the field but in the day-to-day operation off of it. In addition to that crucial factor, Udinski is also 'all-ball,' as Coen put it. 'He's an elite communicator,' Coen added. 'Really, obviously, high-level intelligence, football IQ, he's all ball. Grant is all ball. No ego, rides around in a Honda CRV, and just wants to live as close to the building as he can, and that's what always stood out is the ability, his passion for the game and all I've ever heard is positive things about him. You see in this past cycle, how much he got (interviews) and how much he was in, there was no surprise to me there.' After Udinski was hired by Jacksonville, Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling gave an example of this all-ball mentality, mentioning that Udinski was available at all hours of the night to answer questions from then-rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy, adding that, 'Udinski will do whatever he possibly can to make a player better.' Of course, the top task for Coen and Udinski will be getting Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars' offense back on track–an endeavor that will be a collaborative process.
USA Today
11-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Grant Udinski a 'great get' by Jaguars, says NFL insider
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced last week that Grant Udinski will be the team's offensive coordinator under head coach Liam Coen, a move that one NFL insider really likes. In Albert Breer's recent edition of the Monday Morning Quarterback over at Sports Illustrated, he called the addition of Udinski a 'great get' for Coen. 'Great get by Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen in poaching Grant Udinski, Kevin O'Connell's 29-year-old right-hand man, off the Minnesota Vikings staff,' wrote Breer. 'Udinski should be a resource to Coen in the same way Shane Steichen was for Sirianni early on in Sirianni's time in Philly.' Udinski comes to Jacksonville as one of the more fast risers in the coaching ranks in recent seasons. He spent the last three years with the Vikings, working closely with head coach Kevin O'Connell and the quarterbacks and had been promoted each season that he had been with the team. Under O'Connell, Udinski, and the rest of the offensive coaching staff, the Vikings offense would rank ninth in scoring last season. Quarterback Sam Darnold also put together a career year as the Vikings went on to win 14 games. Vikings reporter Ben Goessling would recently mention on an appearance on 1010XL that one of the things that stands out most about Udinski is his level of commitment to his players. With Coen considering himself part of the Sean McVay coaching tree, there should be a bit of overlap in what he wants to run in Jacksonville and what Udinski was doing in Minnestoa. Prior to becoming the Vikings' head coach, O'Connell was the Rams' offensive coordinator. Coen will do the play calling, but obviously Udinski will play a pivotal role in accomplishing what is the top task for this new coaching staff, which is getting Trevor Lawrence and the passing game back on track.
USA Today
08-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings reporter with insight on Jaguars' Grant Udinski and work with QBs
New Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has been a very fast riser in the coaching ranks at still just 29 years old. Recently on the 'Helmets and Heels' radio show on 1010XL, Minnesota Vikings beat reporter Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune provided some insight into Udinski and the success he's had with quarterbacks. 'He'll say this,' said Goessling about Udinski, ''I'm young, I don't have kids, I don't have a family yet, so I can be the guy, whatever hours of the day you need something, I'm here to talk with you. This is what I'm all in on and what I'm invested in.' 'That level of commitment to players is probably the thing that sticks out most about him and that's what you'll hear a lot of quarterbacks say about him. He will do whatever he possibly can to make a player better and have them more prepared for what they have to do on Sunday.' 'Grant Udinski will do whatever he possibly can to make a player better.' Vikings beat reporter Ben Goessling joins Helmets and Heels to discuss the new leader of the Jaguars offense! FULL VIDEO: | #DUUUVAL @1010XLLauren @TayDoll1010xl… — 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) February 7, 2025 Part of that commitment, as Goessling would also mention, was that last offseason and into training camp, Udinski and rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy would routinely have late night conversations, where Udinski answered whatever questions McCarthy had. During Udinski's time with Minnesota, he was promoted during each of the three seasons he spent with the team. And in addition to working closely with the quarterbacks, he also worked closely with head coach Kevin O'Connell. The Vikings' offense under O'Connell ranked ninth in points per game last season and veteran quarterback Sam Darnold would have a career year in Minnesota. A top priority for head coach Liam Coen, Udinski, quarterbacks coach Spencer Whipple, and pass game coordinator Shane Waldron will be getting Trevor Lawrence back on track. How to go about doing that was the main question that owner Shad Khan asked all of the head coaching candidates, and Coen's answer helped separate him from the rest. Of course, there's a lot that goes into that answer, but in part, it will include building the offense around Lawrence, as Coen mentioned, and we can glean from Coen's time with Tampa Bay that a strong run game is an important factor as well. 'How do we make Trevor Lawrence and this offense as dynamic and explosive as we can be? We've got to build it around him, we've got to make every part of this about improvement, and he will be a part of that process,' Coen said during Monday's introductory press conference. 'He's earned that right. I cannot respect his toughness and mentality and work ethic more than I do already from afar. This will all be about Trevor.'
CBS News
06-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Vikings assistant Grant Udinski leaving for Jaguars' offensive coordinator job
The Jacksonville Jaguars are assembling one of the NFL's youngest coaching staffs. Head coach Liam Coen, 39, hired Minnesota assistant Grant Udinski as his offensive coordinator late Wednesday, although Coen plans to call plays during his Jaguars tenure. The 29-year-old Udinski comes to Jacksonville after spending three years working under Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and getting two promotions. He started as assistant to the head coach/special projects before becoming assistant quarterbacks coach in 2023 and then assistant offensive coordinator last year. "Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge, energy and a winning mindset to help lead our offense here in Jacksonville," Coen said in a statement. "He is a rising star in this league that has been a pillar of success for the Vikings organization, and we can't wait to have him." Coen previously hired Green Bay Packers run-game coordinator and linebackers coach Anthony Campanile as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator. The 42-year-old Campanile is entering his sixth NFL season and first as a defensive coordinator. Together, they give the Jaguars a first-time head coach, a first-time OC and a first-time DC. They also have a first-time executive vice president after hiring Hall of Fame left tackle Tony Boselli. And they could end up with a first-time general manager, a position they expect to fill after the Super Bowl. Udinski surely will have the least NFL experience of the bunch. A college tight end at Davidson and then Towson, Udinski landed a graduate assistant job at Baylor under Matt Rhule in 2019. Udinski lived in his car in a Walmart parking lot before moving in with Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Phil Snow. Udinski followed Rhule to the NFL's Carolina Panthers the following year. O'Connell lured him to Minnesota in 2022. Coen and O'Connell both come from Sean McVay's coaching tree, having spent time working under McVay with the Los Angeles Rams. With Udinski as assistant OC, the Vikings finished ninth in scoring and 12th in yards this season. Quarterback Sam Darnold had a career year, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Now, Udinski will get to work with Trevor Lawrence, a QB once touted as a generational prospect who has failed to live up to those lofty expectations. Still just 25, Coen and Udinski will look to get Lawrence's career back on track after an injury-shortened season in which he threw just 11 touchdowns in 10 games, along with seven interceptions. The Jaguars also interviewed Washington quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard and Rams offensive assistant and passing game specialist Nathan Scheelhaase for the OC job.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaguars hire Vikings assistant Grant Udinski, 29, as offensive coordinator
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars are assembling one of the NFL's youngest coaching staffs. Head coach Liam Coen, 39, hired Minnesota assistant Grant Udinski as his offensive coordinator late Wednesday, although Coen plans to call plays during his Jaguars tenure. The 29-year-old Udinski comes to Jacksonville after spending three years working under Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and getting two promotions. He started as assistant to the head coach/special projects before becoming assistant quarterbacks coach in 2023 and then assistant offensive coordinator last year. 'Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge, energy and a winning mindset to help lead our offense here in Jacksonville,' Coen said in a statement. 'He is a rising star in this league that has been a pillar of success for the Vikings organization, and we can't wait to have him.' Coen previously hired Green Bay Packers run-game coordinator and linebackers coach Anthony Campanile as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator. The 42-year-old Campanile is entering his sixth NFL season and first as a defensive coordinator. Together, they give the Jaguars a first-time head coach, a first-time OC and a first-time DC. They also have a first-time executive vice president after hiring Hall of Fame left tackle Tony Boselli. And they could end up with a first-time general manager, a position they expect to fill after the Super Bowl. Udinski surely will have the least NFL experience of the bunch. A college tight end at Davidson and then Towson, Udinski landed a graduate assistant job at Baylor under Matt Rhule in 2019. Udinski lived in his car in a Walmart parking lot before moving in with Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Phil Snow. Udinski followed Rhule to the NFL's Carolina Panthers the following year. O'Connell lured him to Minnesota in 2022. Coen and O'Connell both come from Sean McVay's coaching tree, having spent time working under McVay with the Los Angeles Rams. The Jaguars also interviewed Washington quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard and Rams offensive assistant and passing game specialist Nathan Scheelhaase for the OC job. ___ AP NFL:
