The K.O factor: Kelvin O’Connell’s Passionate Message Knocks it out of…
When the Minnesota Vikings hired Kevin O’Connell as their head coach, they did so with conviction. They waited until after O’Connell’s Rams team’s Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals to make it official, and they are sure glad they did.
In his third season, O’Connell has a record of 26-16 and has the Vikings on the right track to have a Super Bowl window. In 2024, the Vikings are sitting at 6-2 with a real chance to both make a Super Bowl run but also win the NFC North despite this season being a rebuilding year.
Kevin O’Connell gives Anthony Richardson words of support
One of the things that stands out about O’Connell is how genuine he comes off as a person. After Sunday night’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, O’Connell made a point to go talk to quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was benched for Joe Flacco the previous Tuesday.
“Hey, do me a favor, and remember something. You’re a bad dude. And you’re going to play a long time in this league. Go to work every day. Good things will happen for you. I still believe in you. I know these guys do. Shane does too. Man, this organization loves you. Go to work. All love man.”
It’s worth a full watch because you can hear how genuine O’Connell is when he’s talking to Richardson in this moment. That’s the sign of a great coach.
The other intriguing element is that O’Connell says “this organization loves you.” He likely meant the Colts, but sources told me around the 2023 NFL Draft that the Vikings had a serious offer on the table to move up and select Richardson. Could he have meant the Vikings? It’s not impossible.
Either way, we are glad that O’Connell is leading the Vikings into the future.
