New Orleans, Louisiana – Kevin O’Connell, the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, has been recognized as The Associated Press’ NFL Coach of the Year. The announcement came during the NFL Honors event, held in New Orleans, where O’Connell was presented the award by NFL legends Bill Belichick and Deion Sanders.
O’Connell expressed his gratitude during his acceptance speech, thanking his family, including his wife Leah and their four children, who he said provide him with unwavering support in his career. “First and foremost, I want to thank God. It all starts with my beautiful wife, Leah; you are my rock,” he stated. He also emphasized this recognition as a reflection of the entire organization, praising the support from owners Mark and Zygi Wilf and the players and coaches within the team.
Under O’Connell’s leadership, the Vikings had an impressive 2024 season, finishing with a 14-3 record and clinching a playoff berth with four games to spare. O’Connell has an impressive record of 34-17 over his first three seasons, including leading the team through a nine-game win streak during the season.
The coach noted that the success of the Vikings is due to a positive environment that welcomed talented free agents into their ranks, such as quarterback Sam Darnold, who thrived under O’Connell’s guidance. Darnold highlighted the relationships built within the team, which contributed to their on-field success.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson echoed the team’s sentiments about O’Connell’s coaching, calling him “one of the best in the league, if not the best,” and acknowledged that the culture he established is a significant factor in their achievements.
Throughout the season, the Vikings displayed remarkable resilience, boasting a strong record in close games, with a 9-1 mark in one-possession games. This season’s winning strategies and connection among players were largely credited to O’Connell’s leadership style, which focuses on a “1-and-0” mentality aimed at maximizing their performance.
As the Vikings look ahead, O’Connell expressed his commitment to pursuing the ultimate goal of bringing the Lombardi Trophy to Minneapolis, emphasizing that while this award is special, there is still much work to be done. “There’s more to do,” he declared. The future appears bright for the Vikings under O’Connell’s guidance, and fans can expect even greater things in the coming seasons.
