Award Season Begins with a Bang for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings conducted a fairly satisfying year in 2024, and as a starter kit to award season, head coach Kevin O’Connell has been recognized.
Vikings Awards: One Man Brought It Home
Pro Football Writers of America awarded O’Connell the Coach of the Year honor, a prize separate from the NFL’s Coach of the Year — he is expected to win that, too — but still outstanding.
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 also formally nominated O’Connell for Coach of the Year on Thursday, so it was quite the day for the 39-year-old ball coach.
Meanwhile, the week has actually been phenomenal for O’Connell. The Vikings extended his contract for the long haul on Tuesday, connecting him to the organization for an unknown dollar amount and multiple years. Most believe O’Connell will earn at least $15 million per season and stick around at least until the end of 2028.
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).”
Last year, Houston Texans skipper DeMeco Ryans took home the same award, but Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski later won the NFL’s version. Stay tuned to determine 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.
The Vikings have manufactured the NFL’s sixth-best win percentage since O’Connell accepted the top job in 2022. General manager Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell took over for general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer after the 2021 season. The two have accounted for regular season bliss while still waiting on an elusive playoff win.
In the immediacy of the extension, O’Connell sounded gleeful about remaining in purple. He said via 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 last Viking to win a major award? Justin Jefferson in 2022 — Offensive Player of the Year.
Quarterback Sam Darnold was nominated for Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday, and O’Connell’s lieutenant, Brian Flores, pulled down a nomination for Assistant Coach of the Year.
O’Connell will turn 40 in May.
The NFL’s Coach of the Year will be revealed in about two weeks.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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