Kevin O’Connell Tweets for First Time in 9 Months
Dustin Baker
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t a frequent Twitter user, but when he does fire up the social media app, it’s to congratulate or acknowledge his alma mater, San Diego State.
O’Connell quarterbacked the Aztecs from 2004 to 2007 before joining the NFL with the New England Patriots in the 3rd Round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Kevin O’Connell Tweets for First Time in 9 Months
And when San Diego State is in the news — like it was during the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament — O’Connell is quick to represent his brethren.
The Aztecs conducted a rather unforeseen run to the National Championship during the tournament, culminating in a 76-59 loss to the University of Connecticut Huskies on Monday night. A five-seed in the dance, San Diego State “wasn’t supposed to” get that far, but head coach Brian Dutcher and his men did precisely that.
O’Connell took to Twitter to applaud the Aztecs and their almost-storybook run at a national title, “Incredible Journey for this Aztecs team. Congrats to Dutch and his team/staff, made all of us so proud watching them fight to the very end. Love everything about Aztecs basketball and the program they have built over the last 24 years.”
Here’s the tweet in the flesh:
O’Connell created an unforeseen season of his own with the 2022 Vikings in Year One of employment. Oddsmakers and pundits predicted Minnesota to win about eight or nine games, but the Vikings won 13 instead, setting an NFL record with 11 wins and no losses in games decided by one score or less.
The Huskies took down O’Connell’s Aztecs thanks to 19 points and 10 rebounds from G Tristen Newton, 17 points and 10 rebounds from F Adama Sonogo, and 16 points + 4 assists from G Jordan Hawkins. San Diego State only shot 32.2% from the field, dooming championship aspirations from the start.
Coach Dutcher told the media after the loss, “These guys are what it’s all about. They’re good people, good students, and really good players. There’s a brotherhood in that locker room that will never be divided by a margin of victory or not winning it all. That brotherhood is going to last a lifetime.”
And no matter what, San Diego State will keep this Final Four memory for the ages:
O’Connell’s next order of business occurs in 24 days — the 2023 NFL Draft. The Vikings have five picks in the event and go about 10 different ways in Round 1.
The last time O’Connell tweeted, it was San Diego State-related, too.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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