Kevin O'Connell (American football)
Minnesota Vikings | |||||||||||||
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Position: | Head coach | ||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
Born: | Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. | May 25, 1985||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, California) | ||||||||||||
College: | San Diego State (2003–2007) | ||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 2008 / Round: 3 / Pick: 94 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
As a player: | |||||||||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
As a coach: | |||||||||||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Head coaching record | |||||||||||||
Regular season: | 20–14 (.588) | ||||||||||||
Postseason: | 0–1 (.000) | ||||||||||||
Career: | 20–15 (.571) | ||||||||||||
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||||||
Coaching stats at PFR |
Kevin William O'Connell (born May 25, 1985), nicknamed "KOC",, in the 2021–2022 season).
Early years
O'Connell is the son of a former
Playing career
College
O'Connell graduated from San Diego State University in December 2007 with a degree in political science.[4][5] At SDSU, where he was a four-year team captain, he started 21 games, the sixth-most among SDSU quarterbacks, and ranked first in school history in career rushing yards and second in career rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks; in 2007 he led the team in rushing yards. Passing, he ranked tenth in yardage, eighth in attempts, and seventh in completions.[2]
O'Connell played in both the 2008
At the 2008
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle |
Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
34+1⁄8 in (0.87 m) |
8+7⁄8 in (0.23 m) |
4.61 s | 1.60 s | 2.71 s | 4.38 s | 7.01 s | 31.0 in (0.79 m) |
9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) | ||
All values from |
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots selected O'Connell with their fourth pick (94th overall) in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft.[10] O'Connell rushed for a touchdown in the 2008 preseason against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter, in a game the Patriots eventually lost 19–14. He made his NFL debut on September 21, 2008, in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins, throwing his first four career passes and completing three.
O'Connell was waived by the Patriots on August 30, 2009, two days after a preseason game in which starting quarterback Tom Brady was injured, and, in the second half, O'Connell threw two interceptions and only threw 3 completions on 10 attempts. The Patriots gave no explanation for releasing O'Connell, who was in competition with veteran quarterback Andrew Walter, signed after his release from the Oakland Raiders, and undrafted free agent rookie Brian Hoyer of Michigan State.
Detroit Lions
O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2009.
New York Jets
The Lions traded O'Connell to the New York Jets, for a 7th round 2011 draft pick, on September 6, 2009.[11]
He was named a team captain for the September 20 game against the New England Patriots.[12]
On August 31, 2010, New York released O'Connell.[13] Following his departure, O'Connell found that he had a torn labrum in his throwing arm, an injury he sustained during the preseason.[14] The injury required surgery.
Following his release, the New York Jets re-signed O'Connell to a two-year deal. He had been placed on the injured reserve list.[15] He was later released again on July 29, 2011.[16]
Miami Dolphins
On August 5, 2011, O'Connell signed with the Miami Dolphins, but was waived on September 3.
Second stint with the Jets
O'Connell was claimed off waivers by the Jets on September 4, 2011.[17]
San Diego Chargers
O'Connell was signed by the San Diego Chargers on July 29, 2012, to serve as an emergency back-up in the Chargers' practices with Charlie Whitehurst suffering an injury and Kyle Boller announcing his retirement from the league.[18] He was released on August 12, 2012.
NFL statistics
Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
2008 | NE | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 66.7 | 23 | 3.8 | 0 | 0 | 73.6 | 3 | -6 | -2.0 | 0 |
Career[19] | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 66.7 | 23 | 3.8 | 0 | 0 | 73.6 | 3 | -6 | -2.0 | 0 |
Coaching career
Cleveland Browns
On February 17, 2015, it was announced that O'Connell was named to the position of quarterbacks coach of the Cleveland Browns for the 2015 NFL season.[20]
San Francisco 49ers
O'Connell was hired to the offensive staff of the San Francisco 49ers on February 26, 2016.[21]
Washington Redskins
On January 20, 2017, O'Connell was hired as the
Los Angeles Rams
On January 16, 2020, O'Connell was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as offensive coordinator.[25] In O'Connell's second season with the Rams, their offense ranked 2nd best in receiving touchdowns (41), 5th highest in total yards (4,893), 8th best in total touchdowns (63), and the team won Super Bowl LVI (defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 23–20).[26][27]
Minnesota Vikings
On February 16, 2022, just three days after his Super Bowl LVI victory, O'Connell was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as the 10th head coach in their franchise history.[28][29] O'Connell's Vikings hiring reunited him with quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom O'Connell had coached in 2017 (Cousins' final year with the Washington Redskins). O'Connell won his first game as head coach against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the 2022 season by a score of 23–7. [30]
O'Connell led the Vikings to a 13–4 record on the season, tying Matt LaFleur and Jim Harbaugh for the second-most wins for a rookie head coach in NFL history. The Vikings won the NFC North for the first time since 2017, which was good enough for the NFC's third seed, but were defeated by the New York Giants in the Wild Card round by a final score of 31–24.
Head coaching record
Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
MIN | 2022 | 13 | 4 | 0 | .765 | 1st in NFC North | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost to New York Giants in NFC Wild Card Game |
MIN | 2023 | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 3rd in NFC North | — | — | — | — |
Total | 20 | 14 | 0 | .588 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
References
- ^ Schad, Chris (August 7, 2022). "Adam Thielen on KOC's lack of screaming: 'It's kind of almost awkward'". Sports Illustrated Minnesota Sports, News, Analysis, and More. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "SDSU Aztecs Biography for Kevin O'Connell". Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2008.
- ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (September 28, 2008). "O'Connell Could be Ready in a Snap". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- ^ San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the originalon February 5, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- ^ "Kevin O'Connell Shines in Hula Bowl". Associated Press. January 12, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- ^ "Kevin O'Connell Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Kevin OConnell, San Diego State, QB, 2008 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Kevin O'Connell 2008 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Kowalski, Tom (February 22, 2010). "Lions have seven picks in upcoming draft". MLive.com. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- ^ Florio, Mike (September 20, 2009). "Kevin O'Connell, team captain?". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
- ^ Cimini, Rich (August 31, 2010). "Jets cut QB Kevin O'Connell". ESPN New York. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
- ^ Star-Ledger Staff (September 3, 2010). "Jets lose confidence in rookie running back Joe McKnight". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
- ^ Star-Ledger Staff (September 8, 2010). "Jets re-sign Kevin O'Connell". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ^ Mehta, Manish (July 29, 2011). "Jets release backup QB Mark Brunell, still waiting on Nnamdi Asomugha". New York Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
- ^ Vrentas, Jenny (September 4, 2011). "Jets awarded four players off waivers, including QB Kevin O'Connell; cut Aaron Maybin". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
- ^ Bair, Scott (July 29, 2012). "Chargers Notes: Former LCC, Aztecs QB O'Connell signed as emergency fill-in". North County Times. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
- ^ "Kevin O'Connell". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
- ^ Gribble, Andrew (February 17, 2015). "Kevin O'Connell hired to coach QBs as Browns round out offensive staff". ClevelandBrowns.com. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- ^ Jackson, Zac (February 26, 2016). "49ers adding O'Connell to offensive staff". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Jackson, Zac (January 20, 2017). "Kevin O'Connell will coach quarterbacks in Washington". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "Redskins Promote Kevin O'Connell To Offensive Coordinator; Matt Cavanaugh Moves To Senior Offensive Assistant". Washington Commanders. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ Hoffman, Craig (January 7, 2020). "Kevin O'Connell amicably departs as Redskins hire Scott Turner as OC". thefandc.radio.com. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
- ^ Jackson, Stu. "Rams announce 2020 coaching additions". therams.com. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
- ^ "2021 Los Angeles Rams Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Los Angeles Rams come back to win Super Bowl LVI 23–20 in front of hometown crowd". NBC News. February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Minnesota Vikings Name Kevin O'Connell 10th Head Coach In Franchise History". vikings.com. February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ "Minnesota Vikings officially hire 'innovative' Kevin O'Connell as new head coach". ESPN.com. February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ "Packers vs. Vikings - Box Score - September 11, 2020". ESPN.com. September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
External links
- Minnesota Vikings bio
- Media related to Kevin O'Connell (American football) at Wikimedia Commons