Vikings to introduce Kevin O’Connell as new head coach Thursday
[Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell, right, talks with quarterback Matthew Stafford during practice for an NFL Super Bowl football game Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]
(KSTP) – The Minnesota Vikings plan on introducing the team’s new head coach this week.
KSTP has independently confirmed a news conference will be held Thursday to introduce Kevin O’Connell.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the team’s plan of a Thursday news conference.
O’Connell is the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, the reigning NFL champions after winning the Super Bowl this past Sunday.
The Rams are having their Super Bowl victory parade Wednesday.
In January, the Vikings fired head coach Mike Zimmer, as well as general manager Rick Spielman.
Zimmer had been with the team for eight seasons after having been named the team’s ninth head coach in 2014. He went 72-56-1 in those eight seasons and was 2-3 in the playoffs.
Spielman had been with the team since 2006 and was general manager since 2012. Over his 10-year stretch as GM, the Vikings accomplished an 87-72-2 record, four playoff appearances and two NFC North championships.
In late January, the team formally introduced Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as the team’s new general manager.
Adofo-Mensah has spent nine years in the NFL and was previously the Vice President of football operations for the Cleveland Browns.
Other head coach contenders included Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, Rams coordinator Raheem Morris and 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.