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The Minnesota Vikings performed a reasonably satisfying 12 months in 2024, and as a starter equipment to award season, head coach Kevin O’Connell has been acknowledged.
Vikings Awards: One Man Introduced It House
Professional Soccer Writers of America awarded O’Connell the Coach of the Yr honor, a prize separate from the NFL’s Coach of the Yr — he’s anticipated to win that, too — however nonetheless excellent.
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The PFWA X account tweeted Thursday, “Kevin O’Connell selected as PFWA’s 2024 NFL Coach of the Year; Brad Holmes picked NFL Executive of the Year and Ben Johnson named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.”
The NFL additionally formally nominated O’Connell for Coach of the Yr on Thursday, so it was fairly the day for the 39-year-old ball coach.
In the meantime, the week has really been phenomenal for O’Connell. The Vikings prolonged his contract for the lengthy haul on Tuesday, connecting him to the group for an unknown greenback quantity and a number of years. Most imagine O’Connell will earn a minimum of $15 million per season and stick round a minimum of till the tip of 2028.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
PFWA wrote about O’Connell’s win, “O’Connell led the Vikings to a 14-3 record including a nine-game winning streak from Weeks 9-17. The nine-game streak tied for the third-longest winning streak in Vikings history. He is the first head coach in NFL history since at least 1950 to win at least 14 games in a season with a quarterback who is in his first season with a team (Sam Darnold).”
Final 12 months, Houston Texans skipper DeMeco Ryans took residence the identical award, however Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski later received the NFL’s model. Keep tuned to find out if O’Connell pulls off the sweep.
“The Vikings were in contention for the NFC North title and the NFC’s No. 1 seed until the final game of the season. The Vikings were sixth in passing yards per game (237.8), seventh in passing yards per play (7.38), ninth in points per game (25.4), first in interception rate (3.77 percent), second in rushing yards allowed per game (93.4) and fourth in rushing yards allowed per play (4.05). Wide receiver Justin Jefferson was selected to the PFWA’s All-NFL and All-NFC teams while outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel along with cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. were selected to the All-NFC team,” PFWA added.
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The Vikings have manufactured the NFL’s sixth-best win share since O’Connell accepted the highest job in 2022. Basic supervisor Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell took over for common supervisor Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer after the 2021 season. The 2 have accounted for normal season bliss whereas nonetheless ready on an elusive playoff win.
Within the immediacy of the extension, O’Connell sounded gleeful about remaining in purple. He mentioned through Vikings.com, “Holding this prestigious position is something I never take for granted, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Wilf family for their unwavering belief in what we are building together. I also want to thank Leah and our incredible children; their love and support allow me to perform this job at a high level.”
The final Viking to win a serious award? Justin Jefferson in 2022 — Offensive Participant of the Yr.
Quarterback Sam Darnold was nominated for Comeback Participant of the Yr on Thursday, and O’Connell’s lieutenant, Brian Flores, pulled down a nomination for Assistant Coach of the Yr.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities.
O’Connell will flip 40 in Could.
The NFL’s Coach of the Yr shall be revealed in about two weeks.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his each day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options visitors, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple group, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as intently because the NFL.
All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data offered by OverTheCap.com.
