Kevin O’Connell Snubbed from 2022 Coach of the Year Finalists

Kevin O'Connell Absent from Coach of the Year Finalists
Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell walks off the field after losing a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Associated Press named their finalists for 2022 Coach of the Year finalists, but apparently, Kevin O’Connell was not worthy of inclusion on this list, missing out on being a part of the final five. Instead, the list includes the following NFL head coaches:

  • Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles)
  • Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers)
  • Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
  • Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills)
  • Doug Pederson (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Two of the five coaches listed as finalists are, like O’Connell, coaches with new teams in 2022, and both of them made the playoffs. Brian Daboll was a first-year head coach for the New York Giants, leading them to a Wild Card berth in the NFC. Meanwhile, Doug Pederson coached the Jacksonville Jaguars to an AFC South division title a year after they had the worst record in the NFL.

Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The other three have cases for the award as well. Nick Sirianni led the Philadelphia Eagles to the No. 1 seed in the NFC after narrowly making the tournament at 9-8 in 2021. Meanwhile, Kyle Shanahan led the San Francisco 49ers to a 13-4 record as well as an NFC West title. It has to be mentioned as well that he helped the 49ers accomplish this with the 2022 Draft’s “Mr. Irrelevant” in QB Brock Purdy. Few teams could have made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game with that as the case.

However, there is just as much of a case for Kevin O’Connell to be on this list as nearly anyone, particularly Sean McDermott in Buffalo. In 2022, the Bills had the advantage of having a better QB, stronger defensive personnel, and overall, just a much better roster.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott on the sideline in a game against the Patriots.

Additionally, there was virtually no improvement from 2021 to 2022 with the Bills. In 2021, Buffalo went 11-6 and lost in the Divisional round of the playoffs. In 2022, they went 13-4 and… lost in the Divisional round of the playoffs.

For the Vikings, O’Connell took an 8-9 team, and through coaching adjustments all over the offensive side of the ball, Minnesota went 13-4 and won the NFC North with virtually the same roster construction as they had a year ago.

The Next Vikings Home Game Will Be a Playoff Game
Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Overall, every coach on this list had strong seasons with their teams, and the franchises would be in a far worse position without them. That being said, O’Connell deserves massive amounts of credit for how the Vikings turned things around in 2022. Perhaps another strong season in 2023 will finally get him that recognition.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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