Kevin O’Connell Wins Another Award

Friday has been quite the news dump for the Minnesota Vikings. Not only was general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah extended as the brains of the franchise, but Kevin O’Connell took the spotlight as well.

The Minnesota Vikings head coach earned his first Coach of the Year award after pulling all the right strings with Sam Darnold last year. It’s clear that he’s not just an X’s and O’s savant though. He gets through to his talent, and is able to connect with his team, because of who he is as a person.

Players have resonated with that reality during his time leading the Vikings. It’s now evident the media sees it as well.

Minnesota Vikings Kevin O’Connell lands media focused recognition

Kevin O’Connell has been named the 2025 Horrigan Award Winner by the Pro Football Writers of America. The award is given to an individual that helps the writers do their job. Coaches don’t have to connect with those that cover their teams, but O’Connell certainly fits the bill.

.@Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell selected as PFWA 2025 Horrigan Award winnerhttps://t.co/OIPkxIgPEJ pic.twitter.com/xI1PGhIz9W

— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) May 30, 2025

“O’Connell was recognized for his openness and helpfulness with reporters. He routinely gives one-on-one interviews, meets regularly with beat writers for off-the-record discussions, provides thoughtful explanations for his decisions after games, and he creates an environment where both players and assistant coaches – like Grant Udinski, the assistant QB coach who became the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator – feel free to tell their stories.”

PFWA

“From the moment Kevin arrived in Minnesota, he has treated the local and national media with honesty, thoughtfulness and respect for our jobs. We couldn’t expect anything else.”

Kevin Siefert – PFWA

It isn’t a given that a head coach wins the award. Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was the last to do so back in 2023. O’Connell has stood out as a amiable voice when meeting the media.

This season O’Connell will look to strengthen his relationship with those throughout the organization. His time invested in young starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy will hopefully pay dividends, and it’s something that the media will discuss often.

Regardless of the Vikings winning four games or fourteen, you can expect O’Connell to show up the same way and remain of high character.

MN Vikings promotions announced

It wasn’t just O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah drawing headlines either. The Minnesota Vikings promoted a pair of internal figureheads to assistant general manager positions.

More #Vikings news: The team is promoting Ryan Grigson and Demitrius Washington to assistant general manager, per sources.

Grigson and Washington have been Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s top lieutenants since he got to Minnesota. Now, a new contract for KAM, and new titles for his guys.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 30, 2025

Ryan Grigson was a name floated throughout the recent front office hiring cycle. He will now be with Minnesota for a fifth season and has added responsibilities on his plate. Grigson was the Indianapolis Colts general manager from 2012-16.

Demetrius Washington enters his fourth season with the Minnesota Vikings and has earned a promotion as well. He worked in research and development for the San Francisco 49ers from 2015-21.