The Minnesota Vikings have arguably one of the best offensive head coaches in the NFL. However, the Vikings have yet to go on a deep run in the Kevin O’Connell era. Still, O’Connell is one of the best head coaches in the league, and one former player is explaining what makes him great.
During an April 14 appearance on the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast,” former Vikings wideout Adam Thielen shared his thoughts on O’Connell and what makes him one of the best head coaches in the NFL.
“I think he kind of separates himself in the coaching world by how much he loves to dial up plays,” Thielen said. “He’s the type of guy who’s in his office with a big smile on his face every time he gets to sit down and figure out how to get guys open, build out the scheme, and create opportunities for players to do what they do best. I also think he has a really good eye for the game.”
What Else Makes Kevin O’Connell a Successful Head Coach
Moreover, Thielen noted that, beyond the X’s and O’s that make O’Connell a special coach, the off-the-field traits he brings have also made him successful.
“Obviously, he gets a lot of praise for the quarterback guru label and things like that,” Thielen added. “He’s really taken guys’ careers, transformed them, and helped them play at a high level.
“A lot of that comes down to the energy he brings into the building [and] he’s always got a big smile and a presence you can feel. He can motivate anybody. If you sit and listen to him talk, he can motivate anyone.
“He’s also a guy who, as his career has progressed, is starting to realize there are things you have to do as a head coach to have success and sustain it; he’s beginning to figure those things out, which will take his ability to be a coach of the year candidate to the next level.”
Vikings Recently Shared GM Search Update
While the Vikings have their head coach in place, the same cannot be said about their general manager position. In January, Minnesota decided to fire Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Rather than look for a replacement, Rob Brzezinski, the team’s executive vice president of football operations, took over the role through the 2026 NFL Draft, and after that, the Vikings will begin their search.
On March 31, Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf shared an update on the team’s search for a new general manager, noting that the groundwork is already in place to begin once the draft is over.
“We’re already laying the groundwork,” Wilf said. “Again, this is an ownership decision, very important for the club. But right, you know, we’re really focused on the NFL draft. We’ve got nine picks. We’re really excited about it. I think our fans should be as well.
“So we’re excited about that and focused on that. And then right after the draft, we’ll get going in terms of interviews, getting the best candidates, talking through it and making sure we have the right leader for our organization.”
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Gets Blunt Message From Adam Thielen