Jaguars Steal Promising Vikings Coach
The Minnesota Vikings entered the coach hiring cycle in the 2025 offseason, knowing there would be some turnover in the coaching staff after an impressive 14-3 season in which the operation widely exceeded expectations.
Jaguars Steal Promising Vikings Coach
Through the first weeks, the Vikings navigated the offseason without losing any member of Kevin O’Connell’s staff and re-upped the head coach. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores interviewed for three jobs and didn’t land any of them. Defensive backs coach Daronte Jones hasn’t gotten a promotion, nor has QB coach Josh McCown.
February 5th, however, ended the dreams of perfect staff continuity. The Jacksonville Jaguars have named Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach and assistant offensive coordinator Grant Udinski as their new offensive coordinator.
This offseason, the Jaguars parted ways with head coach Doug Pederson and, a few weeks later, general manager Trent Baalke. The latter move changed the story, and the top candidate, Liam Coen, agreed to become the ship’s new captain after reportedly declining the job earlier.
He has to rebuild his coaching staff and find his wingman on the offensive side of the ball. Udinski is supposed to be that guy.
Coen is quoted on the team’s website, “Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge, energy and a winning mindset to help lead our offense here in Jacksonville. He is a rising star in this league that has been a pillar of success for the Vikings organization and we can’t wait to have him lead our offense.”
A rising star, indeed, Udinski has drawn a ton of praise in his tenure with the Vikings. Hired from Matt Rhule’s staff in Carolina, O’Connell brought him to the Twin Cities in 2022 as an assistant to the head coach and special projects. A year later, he was promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach, a role in which he remained last season, but the Vikings added the title of assistant offensive coordinator to his job description.
Udinski interviewed for five offensive coordinator jobs this year. He helped Sam Darnold reach new heights and earn Pro Bowl honors with 35 passing touchdowns, and he mentored rookie J.J. McCarthy.
The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling summarized his positions in the building: “His unofficial roles include: mentor to McCarthy; post-practice pass rusher or receiver for Sam Darnold; advance scout and practice lieutenant for Phillips; complement to QB coach Josh McCown; ‘Crazy Grant’ to O’Connell’s kids; confidant, protégé and occasional comedic target for O’Connell.”
The Vikings now need a new mentor for the young quarterback.
His boss, O’Connell, once said about Udinski, “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.”
It’s hard, perhaps even impossible, to hide talented assistant coaches.
Udinski, 29, has been a rising star in the coaching ranks, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he succeeded in his new role with the Jaguars.
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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