Kevin William O'Connell, also known as "KOC," is an American football coach and former player. As of the 2024 NFL season, he serves as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. O'Connell grew up in Carlsbad, California, and attended La Costa Canyon High School. After high school, he graduated from San Diego State University in December 2007, where he was a four-year team captain for SDSU. After spending five seasons in the NFL as a player, he began his coaching career in 2015.
In 2015, the Cleveland Browns appointed him as their quarterbacks coach for the season. In 2016, he was offered a job as a member of the offensive staff by the 49ers. In 2017, O’Connell was appointed by the Washington Redskins (Washington Commanders) as their quarterbacks coach. However, two years into the job, the former quarterback got promoted to his first big position, the offensive coordinator in 2019. After one year there, he was let go by the new head coach, Ron Rivera and he found the same position with the Los Angeles Rams where he would spend the next two years.
Kevin O'Connell Super Bowl
O’Connell has so far won only one Super Bowl ring, as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 season. With head coach Sean McVay and O’Connell’s guidance, the Rams went all the way to Super Bowl LVI. Meeting the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl game, the Rams scored points in each quarter to lift the Lombardi Trophy 23-20.
On February 16, 2022, after winning Super Bowl LVI, O'Connell was appointed as the Minnesota Vikings' 10th head coach in franchise history.
Kevin O’Connell Coaching Career
O'Connell's coaching career includes roles with the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Redskins, progressing from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. He was the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator (2020–2021) before becoming the Minnesota Vikings' head coach in 2022.
He has a head coaching record of 34–17 (.667) in the regular season and 0–1 (.000) in the postseason, giving him an overall career record of 34–18 (.654) as of January 2025 (via Pro Football Reference).
FAQs on Kevin O'Connell
A. Yes, Kevin O’Connell has played in the NFL.
A. Kevin O’Connell is 39 years old as of January 2025. He was born on May 25, 1985.
A. Kevin O’Connell and his wife Leah are parents to four kids.
A. Kevin O’Connell attended San Diego State University and earned a degree in political science.
