Live Feed Report: A Star in the Making—Kevin O’Connell Draws Praise for His Pete Carroll-Like Approach
Minnesota, January 14, 2025 — In a league where “players’ coaches” are becoming increasingly rare, Kevin O’Connell, head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, is carving a unique identity—and drawing comparisons to a legendary name: Pete Carroll.
Under O’Connell’s leadership since 2022, the Vikings have become playoff regulars, reaching the NFC postseason twice and solidifying their reputation as Super Bowl contenders. One of O’Connell’s newest believers, veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin, didn’t hold back on the similarities between O’Connell and his former coach in Seattle, Pete Carroll.
“The vibe he goes with is that he wants us to show our personalities and be exactly who we are,” Griffin shared with ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “That makes it easy to come play hard for a guy like that. He’s not asking us to be something we’re not. It reminds me of Pete, and I think you can name on one hand how many coaches are like Pete Carroll.”
Griffin, who joined the Vikings in 2023 after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, is well-acquainted with Carroll’s leadership style—a balance of structure and trust. His endorsement of O’Connell is a testament to the head coach’s ability to connect with players and inspire performance.
“Young guys need structure, and I get that,” Griffin explained. “They’re going to have to have coaches yell at them to know you really care about them getting better. Older teams have the guys that can handle it and do well with a coach like Pete Carroll or O’Connell.
“You don’t need to remind them that they need to get treatment, or they need to be on time, or that it’s time to get serious because we’ve got a game. If they hadn’t learned to do that, they probably wouldn’t have made it this long in the league.”
Other players and coaches have also lauded O’Connell for his ability to foster trust and camaraderie, an often-overlooked aspect of leading elite NFL talent.
A Franchise Transformed
Under O’Connell’s guidance, the Vikings have achieved back-to-back 13-win seasons, positioning themselves as a formidable force in the NFC. With the 2024-25 playoffs on the horizon, expectations are soaring, and the team is being touted as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
O’Connell’s impact extends far beyond game plans and strategy—his leadership is shaping the culture of the Vikings, much like Pete Carroll did with the Seahawks. As the Vikings prepare for their next postseason challenge, one thing is clear: Kevin O’Connell is not just coaching for wins; he’s building something special in Minnesota.
Stay tuned as the Vikings continue their journey to what could be a historic season!
