Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has been voted the 2024 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year after receiving 25 first-place votes and 361 points. The honor comes as no surprise, given the team’s impressive 14-3 record and second-place finish in the NFC North.
O’Connell led the Vikings through a tumultuous offseason, with quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffering a season-ending knee injury before the regular season began. However, he persevered and found success with Sam Darnold at the helm, as the quarterback posted career highs in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage.
The team’s success was a major surprise to many, considering their offseason turnover and initial uncertainty at the QB position. Nevertheless, O’Connell’s leadership and guidance played a crucial role in Minnesota’s 14-win season, including a nine-game winning streak that brought them close to claiming the No. 1 seed.
Although the Vikings ultimately fell short, losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round, their performance has earned O’Connell his first AP Coach of the Year award. The honor marks the second consecutive year he has been named the NFC North’s Coach of the Year and solidifies his reputation as one of the top coaches in the league.
As a reward for his efforts, O’Connell will receive a multiyear contract extension with the Vikings, keeping him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future.
Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-kevin-o-connell-named-2024-ap-nfl-coach-of-the-year