Aug 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
**Last updated February 7th at 10:30 am CST
The Minnesota Vikings will have a new defensive coordinator next season, terminating 2022 defensive bossman Ed Donatell four days after the team lost to the New York Giants in the postseason.
Minnesota’s defense couldn’t hinder the Giants — at all — in the playoffs, Donatell’s men weren’t very fruitful in the regular season, and a new coach will soon take over.
Too, some existing Vikings coaches are interviewing for other jobs.
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Therefore, consider this a one-stop-shop for Vikings coach movement. This article will be updated in real time throughout the next few weeks.
Vikings TE Coach / Passing Game Coordinator
Interviewing with: Baltimore Ravens / Offensive Coordinator
Latest update: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted about Angelichio Sunday, January 22nd, “Ravens have requested permission to interview Vikings pass-game coordinator Brian Angelichio for their offensive coordinator position, per source. Veteran NFL coach helped Minnesota to a top-five passing offense in 2022.”
Angelichio is on to the second of Ravens interviews, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted on Friday, February 3rd, “Vikings pass-game coordinator Brian Angelichio has a second interview set for Ravens OC job, per source. He also interviewed for the Cowboys OC job Thursday. Busy time for veteran offensive coach.”
Verdict: Todd Monken chosen by Ravens for OC job. Angelichio likely to stay with Vikings.
Vikings Assistant QBs Coach
Interviewing with: Los Angeles Chargers / Offensive Coordinator
Interviewing with: Houston Texans / Senior Offensive Position
Latest Update: CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones tweeted Saturday, January 21st, “The Chargers have requested permission to interview Vikings assistant QBs coach Jerrod Johnson for their vacant offensive coordinator position, source says.”
KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson wrote on Sunday, February 5th, “The Texans interviewed highly regarded Minnesota Vikings assistant and former Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson for a senior offensive assistant staff position, according to a league source.”
ESPN’s Mike Garafolo tweeted on Sunday, February 12th, “The Texans are hiring Jerrod Johnson as QBs coach, sources say. The Houston native, an Eagles undrafted free agent as a player, is on the rise as a coach and takes a step up after serving as the Vikings’ assistant QBs coach this past season.”
Verdict: Hired as Houston Texans QB Coach.
Vikings WRs Coach
Interviewing with: New England Patriots / Offensive Coordinator
Interviewing with: Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Offensive Coordinator
Latest Update: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted on January 18th, “The Patriots have requested permission to speak with Vikings WRs coach Keenan McCardell for their OC position, sources say. He joins a growing list of candidates that also includes Bama OC Bill O’Brien.”
Then, on Tuesday, January 24th, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Alabama OC/QB coach Bill O’Brien has returned to New England and is being named the Patriots offensive coordinator, sources tell Chris Low of ESPN and me. O’Brien was a Patriots’ assistant coach from 2007-2011, and now returns to coach Mac Jones, whom he briefly worked with at Alabama.”
Later on January 26th, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tweeted, “We’ve completed an interview with Vikings WRs coach Keenan McCardell for our OC position.”
On February 16th, ESPN’s Mike Garafolo tweeted Wednesday, “The Buccaneers are hiring Seahawks QB coach Dave Canales as their new offensive coordinator, sources say. After 13 seasons as an assistant on Pete Carroll’s coaching staff, Canales heads to Tampa to run the offense for Todd Bowles.”
Verdict: Not selected by Patriots or Buccaneers as OC. Appears poised to stay with Vikings.
Note: Current Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was requested for an interview by the Chargers last week but turned it down, reportedly telling Los Angeles he was “building something special” in Minnesota.
From: Seattle Seahawks Asst Head Coach / Defensive Asst
Interviewing for: Vikings Defensive Coordinator
Latest Update: The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling tweeted on January 22nd, “Source confirmed the Vikings requested an interview with the Seahawks’ Sean Desai for their defensive coordinator opening. They’d interviewed Desai for the job a year ago, as well.”
The Vikings main Twitter account posted Tuesday, January 25th, “We have completed an interview with Seahawks Associate Head Coach – Defense Sean Desai for our open defensive coordinator position.”
On Friday, February 3rd, Desai withdrew his candidacy. Mike Klis from 9News in Denver tweeted, “Not only have Broncos requested an interview for Seattle associate HC Sean Desai for DC but Desai has withdrawn from consideration for MIN DC job, per source. Desai interviewed with the Vikings last week. Wants to concentrate on DEN. Vic Fangio recommended Denver to Desai.”
Verdict: Withdrew from Vikings defensive coordinator position to pursue Broncos DC job.
From: Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator
Latest Update: NFL Network‘s Ian Rapaport tweeted Saturday, February 4th, “Sources: The Broncos are allowing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero out of his contract and he’s expected to interview with the Vikings. He’s considered a strong candidate in Minnesota, along with Brian Flores.”
On Saturday, February 5th, Tom Pelissero tweeted, “The Panthers are hiring Ejiro Evero as their defensive coordinator, per sources. A huge hire for Frank Reich and Carolina, which moved swiftly to lock up one of the NFL’s most talented young coaches after Denver let Evero out of his contract.”
Verdict: Out of the Vikings DC search. Hired by Panthers.
From: Pittsburgh Steelers LB Coach
Interviewing for: Vikings Defensive Coordinator
Latest Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Saturday, January 21st, “The Vikings have requested permission to speak with Steelers senior defensive assistant and LBs coach Brian Flores for their newly vacant DC job, source said. Coach Kevin O’Connell and Flores overlapped in New England for a year.”
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted on Thursday, January 27th, “The Vikings have completed an interview with Brian Flores for their defensive coordinator position. Flores is also a candidate for the Cardinals’ HC job. Vikings DC interviews so far: Ryan Nielsen, Sean Desai, Mike Pettine and Flores.”
On Friday, February 3rd, Flores was summoned by the Broncos for an interview as Ian Rapoport tweeted, “The Broncos have requested to interview with Steelers LBs coach and senior defensive assistant Brian Flores for their defensive coordinator position under Sean Payton, source said.”
Minneosota’s DC search culminated on Monday, February 6th, as Ian Rapoport tweeted, “The Vikings are set to hire Steelers senior defensive assistant and LBs coach Brian Flores as their new defensive coordinator. He impressed from the beginning and now lands in Minnesota with a task of improving their defense.”
Verdict: Will become Vikings 2023 defensive coordinator.
From: New Orleans Saints co-Defensive Coordinator
Interviewing for: Vikings Defensive Coordinator
Latest Update: ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Saturday, “Vikings have requested to interview Saints’ co-DC Ryan Nielsen for Minnesota’s vacant defensive coordinator job.”
On Monday, January 23rd, the Vikings main Twitter account posted, “We have completed an interview with Saints Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Ryan Nielsen for our open defensive coordinator position.”
Ian Rapoport tweeted on Friday, January 27th, “The Falcons have announced Saints co-DC Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator.“
Verdict: Out of the Vikings DC search. Hired by Falcons.
From: Minnesota Vikings Assitant Head Coach
Interviewing for: Vikings Defensive Coordinator
Latest Update NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Wednesday, January 25th, “The Vikings are interviewing Mike Pettine, the former Packers DC and current assistant head coach, for their vacant DC job, source said.” Brian Flores, the Steelers senior defensive assistant and LBs coach, has his Minnesota interview tomorrow.”
Verdict: Will not become Vikings 2023 defensive coordinator. Status unclear. Brian Flores hired on Feburary 6th.
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.