Vikings' O'Connell named Coach of the Year
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was named Coach of the Year on Thursday at NFL Honors.
O'Connell beat out the Detroit Lions' Dan Campbell, the Denver Broncos' Sean Payton, the Washington Commanders' Dan Quinn, and the Kansas City Chiefs' Andy Reid for the prestigious award.
The 39-year-old is the first Vikings coach to receive the award since Bud Grant in 1969.
He earned 361 points from voters, with Campbell finishing in second place with 283 points and Reid garnering 119, according to The Associated Press' Josh Dubow.
O'Connell led the Vikings to a 14-3 mark in 2024. He oversaw an offense that was powered by a breakout campaign from quarterback Sam Darnold, while the defense ranked fifth in points allowed (19.5 per game).
Minnesota's 14 wins were the club's most since going 15-1 in 1998.
O'Connell is the first coach to lead the franchise to multiple seasons of 13 or more wins. He has produced a 34-17 record since taking the job in 2022.
Minnesota's season culminated in a wild-card playoff defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.