Kevin O'Connell, aka KOC, has been the football head coach of the Minnesota Vikings since February 2022. He has mostly been in the role of quarterback coach or offensive coordinator until 2022 when he started his debut head coach position with the Vikings. As of January 2025, he has a head coaching record of 34-17 in 51 games, according to Pro Football Reference.
O'Connell is a former quarterback, originally drafted by the New England Patriots as the 94th pick in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football with the San Diego State Aztecs from 2003 to 2007. He retired from professional football in 2012 after playing with the Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers.
What teams has Kevin O'Connell coached?
Following his retirement from professional football in 2012, Kevin O'Connell started working as a private coach in California, working with athletes such as Marcus Mariota, Bryce Petty, Logan Thomas, and Johnny Manziel. Moving on, in 2015, he was hired as the Cleveland Browns' quarterback coach. The next season, he joined the San Francisco 49ers' offensive staff (special projects).
From 2017 to 2019, O'Connell was on the Washington Redskins' coaching staff in several offensive coaching positions. From 2020 to 2021, he was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, winning the 2021 Super Bowl, his greatest coaching achievement. He took over as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
Cleveland Browns (2015)
In the 2015 season, O'Connell was the quarterbacks coach for the Cleveland Browns, helping quarterback Josh McCown become the only player in team history to throw for 300 yards or more in three straight games.
O'Connell switched to broadcasting in the same season, during his early coaching days. He recorded a few TV hits for an NBC station after serving as the SDSU broadcast team's sideline reporter for KOGO Radio 600. (via Minnesota Vikings)
San Francisco 49ers (2016)
In 2016, O'Connell was hired by the San Francisco 49ers on the offensive coaching staff (special projects) with the 49ers, as per his Minnesota Vikings biography.
Washington Redskins (2017-2019)
O'Connell was hired by head coach Jay Gruden to coach the quarterbacks for the Washington Redskins in January 2017. The next season, he was promoted to quarterback coach and passing game coordinator.
In 2019, O'Connell was promoted yet again to offensive coordinator. But when Ron Rivera took over as head coach for the 2020 season, he chose to appoint Scott Turner as his offensive coordinator. This resulted in Rivera not retaining O'Connell.
Los Angeles Rams (2020-2021)
O'Connell joined the Los Angeles Rams as offensive coordinator in January 2020. In his second season, the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 to win Super Bowl LVI.
Minnesota Vikings (2022-Present)
In February 2022, Kevin O'Connell debuted in his first head coaching stint with the Vikings, serving as the 10th head coach in the team's history. In his rookie season, he tied Jim Harbaugh (then Michigan Wolverines) and Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers) for the second-most victories by a rookie head coach in NFL history with 13-4. In the 2024 season, according to the Pro Football Reference, he had a head coaching record of 14 wins and three losses in 17 games.
FAQs on Kevin O'Connell
A. Yes, Kevin O'Connell won the Super Bowl LVI in the 2021 season while working as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
A. Kevin O'Connell played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers before retiring in 2012 as a professional player.
A. Kevin O'Connell began his coaching career in 2015 with the Cleveland Browns as their quarterbacks coach.
A. Kevin O'Connell's coaching record with the Vikings is 34 wins and 17 losses, as of January 2025, according to Pro Football Reference.
A. Kevin O'Connell is 39 years old as of January 2025. He was born on May 25, 1985.
