Vikings Hire New Coach

Dustin Baker |

Feb 26, 2025

NFL: Preseason-Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals — Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings needed a new assistant offensive line coach after Shaun Sarrett left the team to join recently promoted Grant Udinski in Jacksonville, and they got their man on Tuesday.

Vikings Hire New Coach

Keith Carter will take over the post, most recently the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the New York Jets.

The Atheltic‘s Alec Lewis tweeted, “The Vikings are hiring Keith Carter as assistant OL coach. Was OL coach and run game coordinator with Jets, and OL coach with Titans before that. Great knowledge of the run game. Major part of shifting focus this offseason.”

Carter represents the Vikings’ first notable coaching hire of the offseason. Another move should be incoming to replace the aforementioned Udinski as assistant quarterback coach.

Here’s Carter’s NFL resume to date:

Seattle Seahawks (2012–2013)
Offensive quality control coach

Atlanta Falcons (2015–2016)
Assistant offensive line coach

Atlanta Falcons (2017)
Running backs coach

Tennessee Titans (2018–2022)
Offensive line coach

New York Jets (2023–2024)
Offensive line coach & run game coordinator

Minnesota Vikings (2025–present)
Assistant offensive line coach

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Carter: “I want to get stronger overall. I love what Chris Kuper’s been able to do in that room, but I wanted to take the opportunity to get a former head position coach that’s been involved in some of the best rushing attacks over the past four, five, six years in football.”

“I think he’s at a great time in his career where he really wanted to come to Minnesota, and I really think he’s going to be able to help us a lot, infuse some things into our run game.”

The Vikings’ ground game ranked 20th per DVOA in 2024, up seven spots from 2023, a step in the right direction.

Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Keith Carter talks with the media before practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park Monday, Aug. 12, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. Nas Titans 8 12 Observations 004. © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

O’Connell added, “He’s a tough, kind of gritty guy. You’ll find some things about him in regards to being tough on his players. But I think in the No. 2 role, he’s gonna be really good for us, and he’s in a great spot in his career to really help us.”

After the Vikings lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the postseason, O’Connell vowed to improve the offensive line, especially the group’s interior. Perhaps Carter can be instrumental in the proposed headway.

Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Keith Carter gives instruction to his players during a training camp practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

Carter received his coaching start in the college ranks in 2005 at Marshall, Randy Moss’ alma mater, as a defensive quality control assistant.

He turned 45 last December.

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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. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings 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.