Kevin O’Connell Named AP Coach of the Year After Spectacular Season

A Historic Achievement for O’Connell

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has capped off an incredible 2024 season by winning the prestigious AP Coach of the Year Award. This recognition solidifies his status as one of the NFL’s brightest coaching minds after leading the Vikings to an outstanding campaign.

A Hat-Trick of Coaching Honors

This marks O’Connell’s third major coaching award of the year. In addition to the AP Coach of the Year title, he has also been named the PFWA NFL Coach of the Year, the NFC Coach of the Year, and The Sporting News Coach of the Year. These accolades reflect the remarkable job he has done in turning the Vikings into serious contenders.

Defying Expectations with a Stunning Season

O’Connell’s award comes as no surprise to those who followed the Vikings’ journey. Under his leadership, the team finished with an impressive 14-3 record, narrowly missing out on the NFC North title and the top overall seed in the conference.

However, it wasn’t just the number of wins that made O’Connell’s coaching stand out—it was how he achieved them. Coming into the season, the Vikings were projected to win only 6.5 games. O’Connell and his team shattered those expectations, outperforming predictions by a staggering 7.5 wins.

Overcoming Adversity to Succeed

O’Connell’s ability to lead the Vikings to success despite major obstacles makes his accomplishment even more impressive. He managed the season with quarterback Sam Darnold at the helm after rookie J.J. McCarthy was sidelined for the entire season. Additionally, the offensive line took a hit with left tackle Christian Darrisaw missing most of the year due to knee injuries.

Despite these challenges, O’Connell found a way to keep the Vikings competitive, proving his adaptability and leadership.

A Well-Deserved Recognition

O’Connell secured the AP Coach of the Year award by beating out four other finalists, cementing his place among the league’s elite coaches. While he was previously nominated in 2022 after leading the Vikings to a 13-4 record, this is his first time winning the AP’s top coaching honor.

With his impressive track record and the Vikings’ continued improvement under his leadership, the future looks incredibly bright for Kevin O’Connell and his team.