Two of the NFL’s most respected and creative head coaches will go head-to-head for the first time in Week 8. And it just so happened that they had a strong bond.
Sean McVay’s Rams will host Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings this week on “Thursday Night Football.” While each team will be focused on winning, it will be a reunion of sorts for both head coaches.
How are McVay and O’Connell’s football coaching histories intertwined? Here’s what you need to know about their relationship ahead of their Week 8 meeting, and what you need to know about McVay and O’Connell’s coaching history. Here are some details you should keep in mind.
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Relationship between Sean McVay and Kevin O’Connell, commentary
O’Connell, currently in his third season with the Vikings, served as offensive coordinator in Los Angeles for two seasons under McVay. The two coaches worked together to win Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, but days later O’Connell was hired to take over the Vikings franchise.
The Vikings have not played the Rams since O’Connell left for Minnesota. Thursday will be the first official meeting between both head coaches, which coincidentally will take place at SoFi Stadium, the same building they shared a ring with.
“He’s one of my closest friends in this league,” O’Connell recently said of McVay, according to Vikings.com. “I love him very much.”
O’Connell, both considered the best offensive minds in the game, is part of McVay’s extensive coaching tree. Since O’Connell took over, the Vikings have a 25-15 regular season record and are 5-1 so far in 2024, making them one of the biggest surprise teams. It is one.
McVay, who has led the Rams since 2017, also recently commented on his respect for his former coordinator.
“I think he’s done a great job in the first two years despite the different situations he’s been thrown into. I think he’s got a great coaching staff. They’ve done a great job of adding players that fit the team. He did his job,” McVay said, per SI’s Minnesota Vikings. “Kevin is a guy who…has had a lot of impact and influence as a coach here. I’m not surprised and happy for them. We’ll give them our best on Thursday.”
They are currently preparing to line up their teams against each other, but both head coaches have a winning history alongside each other.
“I’ll always look back on the last two years (we spent together) as incredibly impactful,” O’Connell said in an article on Vikings.com. “Winning the Super Bowl is something I will never forget.”
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Sean McVay coaching history
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Assistant Wide Receivers Coach (2008)
After playing college football as a wide receiver at Miami University in Ohio, McVay’s coaching career began in 2008 when he joined the Buccaneers as wide receivers coach. Jon Gruden was Tampa Bay’s head coach at the time.
UFL Florida Tuskers wide receiver coach (2009)
Briefly, McVay worked as a quality control/wide receivers coach in the UFL, coaching alongside then-Florida offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.
Washington Commanders, tight ends coach and offensive coordinator (2010-2017)
McVay was hired by Washington as an assistant tight ends coach in 2010 and worked his way up the coaching ladder from there.
Before McVay took over as Washington’s offensive coordinator in 2014, he had already assumed the role of tight ends coach under head coach Mike Shanahan and again under the franchise’s new head coach, Jay Gruden. He served as a coach. As Kirk Cousins developed into a franchise quarterback, McVay also began to gain traction as a head coach.
Los Angeles Rams, head coach (2017-present)
McVay was hired by the Rams in 2017 at just 30 years old, making him the youngest head coach in modern NFL history. During his eight seasons as head coach, he helped his team win a Super Bowl and became one of the most respected offensive minds in the game.
Here’s a look at McVay’s year-by-year performance and total performance since taking over the Rams job.
Sean McVay’s record as Rams coach
Win-Loss Percentage NFC West Finish Season Results 2017115.6881st Wild Card Round Lost2018 133.8131st Super Bowl Lost201997.5633rd Playoffs Lost2020106.6252nd Division Round Lost2021125.7061st Super Bowl Win2022512.2943rd Lost Playoffs2023107.588 2nd place Wild Card Round Eliminated 202424.333–Total: 7249.595–
Kevin O’Connell’s coaching career
Cleveland Browns, Quarterbacks Coach (2015)
O’Connell, a former quarterback from San Diego State, was drafted by the Patriots in 2008 and played for multiple NFL franchises as a player.
After working as a private quarterback coach for two years, he officially began his NFL coaching career in 2015 as quarterback coach for the Browns.
San Francisco 49ers, Offensive Staff (2016)
O’Connell spent one season with the 49ers’ offense in 2016.
Washington Commanders, Quarterbacks Coach and Offensive Coordinator (2017-2019)
In 2017, O’Connell was hired as Washington’s quarterbacks coach. McVay was just on his way to Los Angeles, and Gruden was still the team’s head coach at the time.
After two seasons, O’Connell was promoted to Washington’s offensive coordinator.
Los Angeles Rams, Offensive Coordinator (2020-2022)
O’Connell joined McVay as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2020, and Los Angeles boasted one of the league’s top offenses during his tenure.
Both coaches won Super Bowl LVI together, with the Rams defeating the Bengals by a final score of 23-20.
Minnesota Vikings, Head Coach (2022-present)
O’Connell will become the 10th head coach in Vikings franchise history in 2022. Since then, he has led the team to a winning record and Minnesota is once again poised to compete for a playoff spot in 2024.
Here’s a look at O’Connell’s annual and total performance since taking over the head coaching position at the University of Minnesota.
Win-Loss Ratio NFC North Finish Season Results 2022134.7651st Wild Card Round Eliminated 2023710.4123rd Missed Playoffs 202451.833–Total:2515.625–
Sean McVay coaching tree
O’Connell is just one of a collection of strong future head coaches who spent time under McVay in Los Angeles.
Prior to becoming the Rams’ head coach, McVay worked for four NFL head coaches:
Jon Gruden, Buccaneers Jim Haslett, Florida Tuskers (UFL) Mike Shanahan, Washington Jay Gruden, Washington
Over eight seasons as the Rams’ franchise leader, McVay has had six assistants go on to head coaching jobs in the NFL or college football.
Matt LeFleur, Packers Head Coach (2019-Present) Zac Taylor, Bengals Head Coach (2019-Present) Jed Fisch, Arizona Wildcats (2021-2023) and Washington Huskies (2024-Present) Head Coach Brandon Staley, Chargers Head Coach (2021-Present) 2023) Kevin O’Connell, Vikings Head Coach (2022-Present) Raheem Morris, Falcons Head Coach (2024-Present)
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