Kevin O’Connell Still Doesn’t Have the Thing
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell won the NFL’s Coach of the Year award in 2024, but regarding any tangible recognition of the accolade, it’s missing in action.
Kevin O’Connell Still Doesn’t Have the Thing
The Vikings’ skipper spoke with Kay Adams on Wednesday, and among several topics, Adams asked O’Connell about his Coach of the Year trophy.
The weird part? He doesn’t have it.
Kevin O’Connell Doesn’t Have a COY Trophy
With a smile on his face, O’Connell said about the location of his Coach of the Year trophy: “Funny enough. I’m glad you asked, Kay. I actually don’t have it yet. We’re in the process of trying to track it down. They don’t let you leave with it the night that you get it. You hand it back, and eventually, they send it to you. But that ‘eventually’ is still ongoing. So, we’ll keep you posted on that.”
He flat-out doesn’t have it.
Why the Delay?
There is absolutely no logical reason for O’Connell to be deprived of his trophy. One could also gather from his facial expressions that O’Connell — and probably his family + coworkers — is befuddled about the trophy’s whereabouts.
The coach made it sound like a missing trophy of that caliber was quite strange.
It sounds bizarre not to be with its rightful owner.
O’Connell about Winning the Award in 2024
O’Connell said about winning the award in February: “First and foremost, I want to thank God. I want to thank my family. It all starts with my beautiful wife, Leah; you are my rock. You are everything to me, and you fuel everything that I’m able to do in this profession. Our four kids — Kaden, Quinn, Kolten, and Callie — they couldn’t be here tonight, but they’re definitely watching in Minnesota. This is an organizational award.”
“When I think about what this organization is for me and what it has been for me, it all starts with our people, and it all starts with our owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf. What you guys have provided me, the opportunity to be the head coach of your organization, is one of the most special things, and I don’t take it for granted one day.”
O’Connell’s team finished 2024 with a 14-3 record after oddsmakers forecasted the Vikings to win six or seven.
He added about COY: “To our players and coaches, this was a special year. This season was one I’ll always remember. A special football team. They came together in a way that I am so proud of. The culture, the team that you guys built, is what this is all about. We’ve got great support staff in our building, difference makers. The way I look at it, they make us as the Minnesota Vikings so proud to go to work every day.”
“And speaking of that, last but not least, our fans — the greatest fans in the National Football League. Can’t wait to see you guys at U.S. Bank Stadium next year. SKOL, Vikings!
Vikings.com’s Take on His Achievement
Vikings.com‘s Lindsey Young wrote about O’Connell’s award 2.5 months ago: “Known across the league as one of the game’s top offensive minds, O’Connell became the first head coach since at least 1950 to win 14 or more games in a season behind a quarterback who is in his first year with a team. Darnold logged career numbers with Minnesota, finishing the campaign with 4,300 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns and a passer rating of 102.5. O’Connell implemented a ‘1-and-0’ mentality that organically became a motto for the 2024 Vikings.”
“Minnesota was 9-1 in one-possession games in 2024, the second-best mark league-wide, trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs (11-0). O’Connell, who is 26-9 in one-possession games (.743) as a head coach, surpassed NFL Legend John Madden (.732) for the second-best winning percentage in NFL history in one-score contests (minimum 25 games). Only Hall of Fame Head Coach Guy Chamberlin (.759, 22-7-7) boasts a better record.”
No Vikings coach had won the trophy since 1969.
Young added, “Despite the 2024 Vikings being projected for an NFC North-low 6.5 wins, O’Connell led the team to clinch a playoff berth with four games remaining in the regular season. Minnesota more than doubled its projected win total, capturing 7.5 more victories above expectation — the most among all teams.”
Long Shot Odds for Coach of the Year in 2025
O’Connell probably won’t win Coach of the Year in 2025. He’d likely need to fire off a 16-1 record or so to achieve the honor in back-to-back seasons. Voters are standoffish about handing the trophy to the same coach twice in a row — when they hand the trophy to the guy at all.
Per 2025 Coach of the Year odds, O’Connell ranks seventh-lowest. Twenty-five other coaches have better odds of winning.
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