Inside The Vikings

Vikings' Keenan McCardell, Matt Daniels to Participate in NFL Coach Accelerator Program

McCardell and Daniels are two of the top assistants on the Vikings' coaching staff.

Will Ragatz

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Vikings assistant coaches Keenan McCardell and Matt Daniels will take part in the NFL's Coach Accelerator program this weekend at the Spring League Meeting in Minneapolis.

It's the second annual edition of the event, after the league's inaugural Coach and Front Office Accelerator in 2022, which was attended by then-Vikings scouts Chisom Opara and Chris Blanco.

This event is part of the NFL's ongoing commitment to promoting diversity.

"The Coach Accelerator aims to increase exposure between owners, executives, and diverse coaching talent, providing ample opportunity to develop and build upon their relationships," the league said in its press release. "The 40 participants this year are attending based on their high potential to be considered for a Head Coach position in the future.

"In addition to networking, further development of the participants is a critical component of the accelerator, with curated content sessions scheduled that will further engage each participant on the advancement of their executive leadership skills and business acumen."

It's a cool opportunity for McCardell and Daniels, two Black men and former players who are among the Vikings' most highly-regarded assistants. That the event is taking place locally makes it extra convenient.

McCardell, 53, spent 16 seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL, making two Pro Bowls and recording over 11,000 career yards. He's been a WRs coach at four different stops since 2010 and is entering his third season in that role with the Vikings. McCardell, who was the only position coach retained when Kevin O'Connell succeeded Mike Zimmer as head coach last year, interviewed for the offensive coordinator vacancies with the Patriots and Buccaneers this offseason.

Daniels, 33, had a four-year NFL career and has been coaching in the league since 2018. After four years as an assistant special teams coach with a couple teams, he was hired last year as O'Connell's special teams coordinator. Daniels led an impactful special teams unit in his first season and won over fans with his charisma during press conferences.

Attending this event will allow McCardell and Daniels to expand their professional networks and further their development as coaches.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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