Vikings' Kevin O'Connell Climbs in NFL Head Coach Rankings After Second Season

O'Connell gets some love from NBC Sports' Patrick Daugherty in his ranks.

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell walks on the field / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings won 13 games in year one under Kevin O'Connell and just seven in year two, but 2023 was arguably a more impressive coaching job from the 38-year-old. Despite losing Kirk Cousins for the year in Week 8, losing Justin Jefferson for a big chunk of the season, and running up against some inevitable close-game regression, O'Connell helped keep the Vikings in the playoff hunt until the very end.

As a result, Minnesota's head coach jumped seven spots up to No. 12 in the annual head coach rankings from NBC Sports' Patrick Daugherty. Among NFC teams, O'Connell ranks fifth, trailing only Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, Matt LaFleur, and Dan Campbell (two of whom happen to reside in his division). Daugherty had plenty of praise for the way O'Connell kept things afloat after Cousins went down, calling him "a coach who figures things out."

How charmed was Kevin O’Connell’s first season as head coach? He went 13-4 and made the playoffs with a negative point differential. How cursed was year two? Four different quarterbacks started at least two games. And yet, it was through that adversity where O’Connell’s promise became clear. Although functionally eliminated from the playoffs in Week 16, the Vikings still had a faint shot at qualification in Week 18. That would be the same Week 18 where they were forced to turn to Nick Mullens for the second time … after starting Jaren Hall for the second time in Week 17. The stuff of nightmares for NFL head coaches. But through it all, O’Connell kept his eye on the ball, specifically making sure it ended up in his playmakers’ hands. No matter who was under center, O’Connell ensured they peppered Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson with targets. He didn’t get too cute. He didn’t try to force “balance” with an ineffective rushing attack. He did what was required to maximize his chances of scoring points. Again, you would think this was simple, but for many coaches it’s not. That, coupled with O’Connell correcting his first-year mistake of hiring DC Ed Donatell by replacing him with Brian Flores, has created an optimistic air even as the Vikes transition away from Kirk Cousins. O’Connell is a coach who figures things out. Hopefully his future problems aren’t as complex as they were in 2023.

- Patrick Daugherty, NBC Sports

It's well-deserved recognition for the job O'Connell did last year and has done since being hired to replace Mike Zimmer two years ago. Even though they're coming off a disappointing season relative to expectations, the Vikings appear to be in good hands with KOC as their head coach. He's created a great culture in the locker room, demonstrated strong leadership traits, and proven himself as a creative and successful offensive mind. O'Connell talking Josh Dobbs through a comeback victory in Atlanta the week after Cousins' injury last year was maybe the most impressive coaching performance of the entire NFL season.

In a few weeks, the Vikings will almost certainly draft a quarterback in the first round for the first time in a decade. It probably brings some comfort to fans that O'Connell will be the one leading the way on that franchise-altering decision.

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