01
Kevin O'Connell
Head coach and offensive play caller
O'Connell was appointed the 10th head coach in Vikings history on February 16, 2022, and he remains Minnesota's primary offensive play caller. Read the full O'Connell chapter.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell Head coach since 2022
Kevin O'Connell is the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.
He works with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels and assistant head coach Frank Smith.
The 2026 staff also includes new leadership for the offensive line, defensive backs, tight ends and defensive running game.
The first three doors
Open a door to see who works in that room. Each board is an abstract sketch of the surface that room actually works on — nothing here is Vikings playbook material.
Kevin O'Connell is the primary offensive play caller and Wes Phillips is the offensive coordinator. The rest of the offensive staff works alongside them.
Brian Flores calls the defence. Gerald Alexander and Ryan Nielsen hold passing-game and running-game coordination titles beneath him, and the position coaches work under that structure.
Special teams involve players from across the roster, so this room works closely with both the offensive and defensive position coaches.
Start here
The easiest way to understand the Vikings coaching staff is to begin with the four coaches responsible for the largest areas of the team.
01
Head coach and offensive play caller
O'Connell was appointed the 10th head coach in Vikings history on February 16, 2022, and he remains Minnesota's primary offensive play caller. Read the full O'Connell chapter.
02
Offensive coordinator
Phillips has served as Minnesota's offensive coordinator since O'Connell assembled his original Vikings staff in 2022.
The coordinator assists with the construction and weekly operation of the offence, while O'Connell remains closely involved with quarterback preparation and offensive play calling.
Phillips' background includes work with tight ends and offensive lines. Before joining Minnesota, he worked with O'Connell on the Rams staff.
03
Defensive coordinator
Flores joined Minnesota in 2023 after Ed Donatell's departure.
His defence is recognised for changing its presentation before the snap. The Vikings can threaten pressure with several defenders before dropping some of them into coverage.
That approach places demands on communication throughout the defence. Safeties, linebackers and defensive backs must be able to adjust without showing the final coverage too early.
Flores received a contract extension before the 2026 season and remains in charge of Minnesota's defensive system.
04
Special teams coordinator
Daniels has directed Minnesota's special teams since 2022.
His responsibilities include:
Special teams involve players from across the roster, so Daniels works closely with both offensive and defensive position coaches.
KO There is no O'Connell photograph in this site's image library, so the portrait area is set as type rather than borrowing another player's picture.
Chapter one · The head coach
Head coach and offensive play caller
AP NFL Coach of the Year2024 season
O'Connell was appointed the 10th head coach in Vikings history on February 16, 2022. He arrived after spending the 2020 and 2021 seasons as offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams.
Minnesota signed O'Connell to a multiyear contract extension in January 2025.
O'Connell received the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award following Minnesota's 14-3 season in 2024. The Vikings won nine consecutive games from Week 9 through Week 17 that year. The streak tied the third-longest winning run in franchise history.
His approach, in the staff's own division of labour: O'Connell is the primary offensive play caller and remains closely involved with quarterback preparation, while Wes Phillips runs the coordinator's side of the offence. On game day O'Connell manages the full operation while communicating with the coordinators, game-management staff, medical staff and officials.
The official Vikings coaching profile identifies O'Connell as head coach and details his appointment, extension and 2024 award.
| Season | Record | NFC North finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13-4 | First | Lost Wild Card |
| 2023 | 7-10 | Third | Did not qualify |
| 2024 | 14-3 | Second | Lost Wild Card |
| 2025 | 9-8 | Third | Did not qualify |
| Total | 43-25 | 0-2 |
New for 2026
Frank Smith is Minnesota's assistant head coach for 2026.
He replaced Mike Pettine in that senior role after Pettine retired.
Smith previously worked as an NFL offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach. His appointment adds another experienced offensive voice to O'Connell's staff.
The assistant head coach title does not mean Smith automatically takes control of one entire unit. The role can include support for team-wide preparation, staff coordination, game management and the head coach's weekly operation.
Connected groups, not a chain
The staff is not a simple chain in which every decision passes through one coordinator. It operates through connected groups.
| Team area | Lead coach | Supporting coaches |
|---|---|---|
| Entire team | Kevin O'Connell | Frank Smith and coordinators |
| Offence | O'Connell and Wes Phillips | Offensive position coaches |
| Defence | Brian Flores | Defensive position coaches |
| Special teams | Matt Daniels | Chili Davis and position coaches |
| Game management | O'Connell | Ryan Cordell and senior staff |
| Quarterbacks | O'Connell and Josh McCown | Jordan Traylor |
| Running game | Curtis Modkins | Keith Carter and offensive assistants |
| Defensive front | Flores and Ryan Nielsen | Position assistants |
| Secondary | Flores and Gerald Alexander | Defensive back assistants |
This is why job titles do not always explain every responsibility. A coach can hold a position title while also contributing to game management, passing-game design or the running game.
Game day
Who talks to whom during a game, one route at a time. Every route below is also written out in full, so the diagram is never the only way to read it.
The highlight moves on its own while the diagram is on screen. If your device is set to reduce motion, it stays still and you can step through the routes with the buttons.
Room one
Offensive coordinator
Phillips helps organise the complete offensive plan and works across position groups.
Offensive passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach
McCown works directly with Minnesota's quarterbacks while contributing to the passing-game plan.
His responsibilities include:
The 2026 quarterback room begins with Kyler Murray as the starter, Carson Wentz as the backup and J.J. McCarthy in the third position.
O'Connell described the backup order as a week-to-week decision before the opening game. Reuters reported Minnesota's quarterback order.
Assistant quarterbacks coach and passing game specialist
Traylor supports McCown and O'Connell in the quarterback room.
He previously held assistant offensive coordinator and passing-game responsibilities before moving into his current position.
Running game coordinator and running backs coach
Modkins connects the running back room with the wider rushing plan.
His work includes:
Offensive line coach
Carter moved into the leading offensive line position for 2026 after serving as Minnesota's assistant offensive line coach.
The change followed the departure of Chris Kuper.
Carter works with the centre, guards and tackles while coordinating with Modkins on Minnesota's running concepts.
Assistant offensive line coach
Warehime supports Carter in the development and preparation of the offensive line.
Wide receivers coach
McCardell has remained an important source of continuity on Minnesota's offensive staff.
He works with the receivers on releases, routes, blocking, coverage adjustments and ball skills.
The group includes Justin Jefferson and the remaining receivers on Minnesota's active roster and practice squad.
Assistant wide receivers coach
Montgomery was promoted from an offensive quality-control role.
He now works directly with McCardell and the receiver group.
Tight ends coach and game management coordinator
Cordell was promoted into the tight ends role for 2026 after Brian Angelichio left the Vikings.
His title also includes game management. This can involve preparation for timeouts, clock situations, replay decisions and other scenarios that require immediate sideline communication.
Assistant offensive coordinator
O'Hara supports the coordination of Minnesota's offensive preparation.
Offensive quality control
Quality-control work commonly includes film breakdown, opponent tendencies, scouting reports and preparation materials for the offensive staff.
Offensive assistant
The former Vikings tight end remains with the organisation as a member of the coaching staff.
His playing experience gives him direct familiarity with the responsibilities assigned to tight ends in Minnesota's offence.
Room two
Defensive coordinator
Flores designs and calls Minnesota's defence.
The system can change considerably from one opponent to another. Pressure packages, personnel and coverage responsibilities are adjusted according to the opposing quarterback, offensive line and available playmakers.
Defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach
Alexander joined Minnesota for the 2026 season after Daronte Jones left for the Washington Commanders.
He oversees the secondary while helping Flores develop the passing-game defence.
His room must coordinate:
Defensive running game coordinator
Nielsen joined the staff in a newly listed role for 2026.
He focuses on the structure used to defend opposing rushing attacks. That work crosses the defensive line, edge defenders, linebackers and safeties.
The role is especially important against NFC North opponents that can create rushing opportunities through formations, motion and play-action.
Senior defensive assistant and inside linebackers coach
Siravo received an expanded title for 2026.
He works with the inside linebackers while providing senior support to Flores and the defensive staff.
Inside linebackers can be responsible for front adjustments, coverage communication and pressure assignments, making the group central to Minnesota's disguise-heavy defence.
Outside linebackers coach
Bogardus works with Minnesota's edge defenders.
The job involves more than pass rushing. Outside linebackers may rush, drop into coverage, set the edge against the run or move before the snap to disguise Minnesota's intention.
Assistant defensive line coach
Hill joined Minnesota's coaching staff for 2026 and assists with the interior defensive line.
Assistant defensive backs coach
Funari supports Alexander and the secondary.
Assistant linebackers coach
Gibson moved from assistant special teams responsibilities into a linebacker role.
Defensive assistant
Frye is listed as a defensive assistant on the 2026 staff.
Defensive assistant
Johnson is another new defensive assistant listed by the Vikings.
Defensive assistant
The former NFL defensive back brings recent playing experience to the staff.
His background includes work at cornerback and safety, two areas that require constant communication in Flores' system.
Room three
Special teams coordinator
Daniels controls the primary special-teams operation.
Assistant special teams coach
Davis supports Daniels after joining the staff in the assistant special-teams role.
The two coaches must prepare units that change according to the weekly active roster. Many special-teams contributors are reserve offensive and defensive players whose availability can change late in the week.
Sunday authority
Kevin O'Connell is the primary offensive play caller.
Wes Phillips remains the offensive coordinator, while Josh McCown, Curtis Modkins, Keith Carter and the other offensive coaches contribute to the weekly plan.
Brian Flores calls the defensive plays.
Gerald Alexander and Ryan Nielsen hold passing-game and running-game coordination titles beneath him.
Matt Daniels directs the special-teams operation.
Not by job title
Organised by football situation rather than by job title. This section explains the staff in a way that a normal directory does not.
| Situation | Coaches involved |
|---|---|
| Passing game | O'Connell, Phillips, McCown, Traylor and McCardell |
| Running game | O'Connell, Phillips, Modkins and Carter |
| Pass defence | Flores, Alexander and defensive assistants |
| Run defence | Flores, Nielsen and Siravo |
| Kicking and returns | Daniels and Davis |
| Clock management | O'Connell, Cordell and senior staff |
Seven days
Choose a day on the wheel to see what the team prepares.
Review
The staff reviews the previous game.
Position coaches grade assignments, corrections and technique. The head coach and coordinators identify the most important team-wide issues.
Position coaches, the head coach and the coordinators.
Opponent plan
The staff builds the plan for the next opponent.
Coaches study personnel, formations, tendencies, pressure, coverage and situational performance.
Installation
The first major installation begins with the players.
The injury report also starts providing context about who can participate in the plan.
Third down
The team expands and corrects the game plan.
Third-down, pressure and coverage work becomes more prominent.
Situational work
Minnesota focuses on red-zone, short-yardage, two-minute and other situational football.
Walkthrough
The team completes final meetings and walkthrough work.
Execution
O'Connell manages the full operation while communicating with the coordinators, game-management staff, medical staff and officials.
Kevin O'Connell, the coordinators, the game-management staff, the medical staff and the officials.
Substitution board
The Vikings retained their head coach and three main coordinators but changed several important supporting positions. A coach leaving does not necessarily mean he was fired.
The changes added experience above and around the position-coach level without replacing O'Connell, Phillips, Flores or Daniels.
Tenure and wins together
O'Connell is Minnesota's 10th head coach. The franchise's longest-serving and winningest head coach is Bud Grant, who led Minnesota during two separate periods and took the team to four Super Bowls.
The strip below shows the six leaders in Vikings regular-season coaching victories, with tenure and wins side by side. It is not the complete list of all ten Vikings head coaches — only these six are documented here.
1967-1983, 1985
158Regular-season wins
Longest-serving and winningest head coach; two separate periods in charge and four Super Bowl appearances.
1992-2001
97Regular-season wins
Ten seasons in charge across the 1990s.
2014-2021
72Regular-season wins
Eight seasons — the most recent long tenure before O'Connell.
1986-1991
52Regular-season wins
2022-present
43Regular-season wins
Minnesota's 10th head coach. He moved to fifth in franchise regular-season coaching victories through the end of 2025.
2006-2010
39Regular-season wins
All 28 coaches
One continuous alphabetical list by surname, with roles in the right margin. Select a name to open that coach's profile in place; select it again, press Escape or use Close profile to shut it. This page does not repeat full biographies for every assistant.
28 coaches on the 2026 staff
No coach on the 2026 staff matches that search.
Quick answers
Kevin O'Connell is the Vikings head coach. He has held the position since February 2022.
Wes Phillips is Minnesota's offensive coordinator.
Kevin O'Connell is the primary offensive play caller.
Brian Flores is Minnesota's defensive coordinator.
Matt Daniels directs Minnesota's special teams.
Frank Smith joined the Vikings as assistant head coach for 2026.
Josh McCown is the offensive passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Jordan Traylor is the assistant quarterbacks coach and passing game specialist.
Keith Carter is Minnesota's offensive line coach.
Keenan McCardell is the Vikings wide receivers coach, supported by assistant wide receivers coach Derron Montgomery.
Minnesota appointed O'Connell on February 16, 2022.
O'Connell has a 43-25 regular-season record through the end of the 2025 season.
Yes. He received the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award for the 2024 season.
Elsewhere on this site
Wide receivers and the offensive line are covered inside the players index, and the defence sits on the depth chart, because this site does not publish separate pages for those two position groups.