The Minnesota Vikings are in a period of transition after firing former head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman.
For a while, it looked like Jim Harbaugh would take over for Zimmer due to his ties with new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
However, the team’s search led them to hire Kevin O’Connell who is fresh from victory in Super Bowl LVI as Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator.
He will be responsible for building his coaching staff, and he brought in a former associate to become the assistant head coach.
The #Vikings announce coaching hires, including Mike Pettine as assistant head coach.
📰: https://t.co/To9Ykvhlq8 pic.twitter.com/EW7JRn7AWN
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) February 17, 2022
The Vikings announced on their Twitter account that Mike Pettine will be joining the team after serving as a senior defensive assistant for the Chicago Bears last season.
He will join the nine other assistant coaches that the team hired, including new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell who served the same position with the Denver Broncos when Vic Fangio was still at the helm.
Pettine’s Coaching Career
It was Pettine who first hired O’Connell as assistant head coach when he was still the Cleveland Browns’ head coach in 2015.
Unfortunately, he only lasted two seasons there after compiling a 10-22 record.
Prior to their collaboration in Cleveland, the two crossed paths on the New York Jets when O’Connell was a backup quarterback and Pettine was defensive coordinator.
Pettine will be the perfect balance to O’Connell’s offense-centered approach as they shape the Vikings into contenders again.
They have solid players like running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
However, they must address their quarterback situation because Kirk Cousins is looking for top dollar in his contract extension.
If that doesn’t work, Deshaun Watson is reportedly interested to join the Vikings.
NEXT: Kirk Cousins Is Not Interested In A Pay Cut