Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches follow actions in the course of the membership’s worldwide preparation forward of a regular-season recreation in London. O’Connell targeted on execution and participant readiness as Minnesota adjusted to abroad journey. Captured on Sep. 30, 2022, the session mirrored the detailed method that has outlined his teaching tenure. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos.
The Minnesota Vikings employed head coach Kevin O’Connell in 2022, and this September, he’ll embark on his fifth season because the man in cost — with out a playoff win. That’s considerably uncommon within the NFL and a sign that the Vikings’ possession simply loves the person.
It’s occurred earlier than, however as a complete, most coaches getting into Yr No. 5 have already gained within the postseason.
Vikings Common Season Success Wants a January Payoff
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell introduces defensive coordinator Brian Flores throughout a media session on the TCO Efficiency Heart in Eagan. Flores outlined his defensive philosophy and imaginative and prescient after becoming a member of the group, bringing intensive NFL expertise to Minnesota’s teaching workers. Captured in July 2024, the occasion marked the start of a major partnership. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
Current Instance of HCs with No Playoff Wins in First 4 Seasons
In trendy NFL historical past, solely a handful of coaches have survived lengthy sufficient to start Yr No. 5 with the identical group with out a playoff win on their resume.
These are the examples from the final 45 years:
Jeff Fisher (Rams)
Dick Jauron (Bears)
Jim Schwartz (Lions)
Jack Del Rio (Jaguars)
Sam Wyche (Bengals)
David Shula (Bengals)
Dan Reeves (Broncos)
Marvin Lewis (Bengals)
Dennis Inexperienced (Vikings)
Dave Wannstedt (Bears)
Kevin O’Connell (Vikings)
Norv Turner (Commanders)
Satirically, Dennis Inexperienced started his profession the identical manner, and he caught across the Twin Cities till 2001.
How These Coaches Fared in Yr No. 5
How did these coaches fare of their fifth marketing campaign — which is the place O’Connell is at proper now? A combined bag.
Jeff Fisher: 4-9 (Fired Midseason)
Dick Jauron: 7-9 (Fired)
Jim Schwartz: 7-9 (Fired)
Jack Del Rio: 11-5 (Divisional Spherical)
Sam Wyche: Reached Tremendous Bowl
David Shula: 1-6 (Fired Midseason)
Dan Reeves: 11-5 (No Playoffs)
Marvin Lewis: 7-9 (Fired)
Dennis Inexperienced: 9-7 (Playoff Loss)
Dave Wannstedt: 4-12 (Retained)
Norv Turner: 6-10 (Retained)
Kevin O’Connell: We Shall See.
Wyche had the height of a Tremendous Bowl look with the Cincinnati Bengals, dropping to the San Francisco 49ers in 1988. Fisher, Jauron, Schwartz, and Lewis have been fired. The typical? Coaches with out a playoff win, venturing into Yr No. 5, sometimes end round 8-9 (scaled to a 17-game season), which is ironic as a result of the Vikings are forecast to win 8.5 video games by sportsbooks.
Sizzling Seat for O’Connell?
O’Connell has had a commendable four-year tenure as head coach of the Vikings, guiding them to the playoffs twice. Nevertheless, the essential hurdle stays: the absence of a postseason victory. Playoff wins are the final word measure of a head coach, and the Vikings haven’t secured one in six years, courting again to Kyle Rudolph’s memorable catch in opposition to the New Orleans Saints.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell speaks with KFAN’s Dan Barreiro following a coaching camp follow on the TCO Efficiency Heart. O’Connell mentioned roster improvement, workforce expectations, and preparations for the upcoming season. Recorded on July 31, 2024, the interview offered perception into Minnesota’s path getting into one other necessary marketing campaign. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
O’Connell’s teaching report additionally boasts a number of excessive factors. He was named NFL Coach of the Yr in 2024, and his profitable proportion since 2022 ranks fifth within the league. Moreover, his protection has been distinctive, main the NFL in EPA/play over the identical interval. His groups additionally exhibit outstanding self-discipline, accumulating the sixth-fewest penalties since his arrival. It’s a great distance saying that O’Connell isn’t working a clown present. The Vikings are good on his watch.
Supporters of O’Connell typically advocate for offering him with a constant beginning quarterback and improved draft alternatives. His groups carry out exceptionally nicely, reaching a 37-15 report (.711 profitable proportion) when his main quarterback is wholesome. Sadly, former basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft misses have compounded the challenges.
Regardless of these obstacles, O’Connell has efficiently cultivated a profitable tradition. The following step — clearly — is to translate that tradition into tangible success, as Minnesota is in dire want of victories in January.
O’Connell most likely isn’t on the new seat at this particular second, however an emphatic dropping season may change that in a rush.
A Roster for His Breakthrough Yr?
The Vikings’ roster ought to have all of the trimmings for a playoff win — if one assumes that Kyler Murray will click on with the offense. Minnesota’s offense is thought for complexity, so Murray, a seven-year veteran, should grasp it sooner slightly than later for O’Connell to realize his optimum situation.
The protection is already there; Brian Flores’ group has completed within the NFL’s Prime 3 per EPA/Play and DVOA in back-to-back seasons. The Vikings additionally used their 1st-Spherical decide in April on Caleb Banks, who has All-Professional upside if his harm considerations fade.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell walks the sideline earlier than a highway matchup in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. O’Connell continued guiding one of many NFC’s best groups whereas managing rising expectations across the franchise. Captured on Dec. 14, 2025, the picture displays his management forward of one other pivotal contest. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photos.
And the weaponry is accessible for O’Connell and Murray. Most groups don’t have the personnel caliber of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson as pass-catchers.
Some rosters don’t have the juice for a playoff win prognostication — the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns, for instance. The Vikings aren’t like that.
It’s time for O’Connell to safe his elusive playoff triumph. After that, followers will hope his teaching and roster are sufficient to beat the Los Angeles Rams, who really feel like a superteam from a summer season standpoint.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
