Kevin O'Connell

So, after 3 and a half weeks of searching and interviewing, the Vikings have decided who will be the new head coach. 

And it's a curveball.

For about a week, it seemed that the hiring of Jim Harbaugh was not just possible but damn near certain. Many reporters said as much. His Wednesday interview at TCO was probably just a formality before the deal was signed. 

Then within about 10 minutes we learn, stunningly, that Harbaugh was going to stay at Michigan, and then that the Vikings picked Kevin O'Connell. 

Once the shock wore off, the truth emerges that this was the right move. 

All along the feel was that it was time for the Vikings to hire an offensive minded head coach. O'Connell emerged as the top contender who fit the bill. 

O'Connell comes from the Rams, where he has been the OC and Sean McVay's primary right hand man. While he does not call plays, he reportedly is deeply involved with gameplanning. And that McVay coaching tree to this point has been a big success. Zac Taylor is coaching in the super bowl next week, and Matt LaFleur has been as successful in his 1st 3 years as any coach ever.

Harbaugh seemed like a shoo-in, but based on all reports so far it sounds like O'Connell really wowed the Vikings in interviews, that he came extremely prepared, with knowledge of our roster and what he wants to do. Meanwhile, Harbaugh seemingly thought the job was his just by showing up. That tells me he wasn't really that interested in THIS job, just in getting back into the NFL and getting that NFL payday. He also probably wanted more authority than we wanted to give him.

I'll take the guy who really was motivated to get this job, and is willing to be the collaborator the new front office wants. 

Nothing is guaranteed. Not every coordinator succeeds as a head coach. Based on the handful of videos I have seen of O'Connell he seems like a nice guy and sharp. He will absolutely be a change to the locker room vibe. 

Fact is we won't start to have any idea if this hire will be a success until September. 

And what kind of team will O'Connell be leading? I do think that going with the young coach raises the likelihood that Kirk Cousins is elsewhere soon. There is a little bit of overlap between Kirk and Kevin from when they were in Washington, but I don't think that alone means Cousins stays. 

A youth movement in leadership could also mean the franchise takes a step back before going forward. The Wilfs want to remain contenders next year, but I don't see that happening unless they keep Cousins, or are able.to acquire another QB near his level.

The Vikings are fully entering a new era. I hope people display at least a little bit of patience. The payoff could be huge. 

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