Ex-Vikings Coach Gets Seahawks Job Over Current Vikings Coach
Skol Nation has been on coach watch for the entire offseason. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been on the radar of numerous teams, but all three he interviewed for the head coaching job went in a different direction. DB coach Daronte Jones has gotten some looks for a promotion to defensive coordinator, but nobody has taken a chance on him so far.
Ex-Vikings Coach Gets Seahawks Job Over Current Vikings Coach
On the offensive side of the ball, QB coach Josh McCown had one head coaching interview with the Jets, but former Lions DC Aaron Glenn got the job. McCown’s assistant QB coach, Grant Udinski, meanwhile, has been a hot name for vacant offensive coordinator positions.
One of those openings closed in the last couple of days when the Seattle Seahawks hired their guy. Ironically, the Vikings get to keep Udinski (for now) because a former Viking was the preferred choice. Klint Kubiak is Seattle’s new offensive coordinator.
The Seahawks announced on their website, “The Seahawks hired Klint Kubiak as the team’s new offensive coordinator on Sunday, ending a search that began earlier this month after the team parted ways with Ryan Grubb following the conclusion of the 2024 season.”
Kubiak held the same title in Mike Zimmer’s final season with the Vikings in 2021. He got the promotion after his father, Gary Kubiak, stepped down following the 2020 season.
Klint oversaw an average Vikings offense, but it always felt like some meat was left on the bone. When Zimmer was fired, Kubiak departed with him. Kevin O’Connell hired Wes Phillips as his new wingman, and Kubiak became the QB coach in Denver, followed by one season as the passing game coordinator for the 49ers.
Last year, he returned to the OC throne, becoming the play-caller for the New Orleans Saints. His offense started out hot, but injuries to countless starters and eventually Derek Carr’s injury made it impossible for him to succeed throughout the season.
In Seattle, the 37-year-old will oversee an offense that features numerous playmakers, including wideouts DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a strong backfield duo of Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. His predecessor loved to see quarterback Geno Smith air it out; Kubiak is known for a more balanced offense, which seems to be fitting for the personnel.
Kubiak winning the race for that job increases the chances for assistant QB coach Udinski to stick around in the Twin Cities. He has been tasked to work closely with J.J. McCarthy and has become his go-to guy.
But the Seahawks weren’t his only chance to earn a promotion. He also interviewed for the same role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His boss, O’Connell, once said about Udinksi, “He’s got such an unbelievable understanding, from his background on offense and defense, and his sheer football stamina is something I really admire. I joke with him all the time, ‘Nobody loves football like you, man.’ His mind never really wanders from it.”
His relationship with McCarthy is a big reason why the Vikings would love to have him back, especially because McCarthy might be the QB1 in the upcoming season. The Bucs will likely make a decision within the next few days.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt