Vikings Had Another Staff Member Hired Away Recently

The Minnesota Vikings fared relatively well during the latest coaching carousel. Considering that Brian Flores interviewed for a boatload of head coaching roles. Josh McCown was also considered for head coach. However, the most integral pieces of the staff remain intact.

That doesn’t mean they escape turnover altogether, though. First, key offensive assistant Grant Udinski took a promotion with the Jaguars. Defensive Backs Coach Daronte Jones is also in contention for a promotion. Director of Player Performance Josh Hingst has officially been poached as of this week.

Minnesota Vikings lose strength coach Josh Hingst to Panthers

This was Hingst’s fourth season with the Minnesota Vikings and 16th in the NFL. He served as Kevin O’Connell’s director of player performance. As was evident when the Panthers move became official, Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis noted the magnitude of Hingst’s loss.

That’s a tough loss. Vikings staff and players have raved about Hingst. The performance staff has been underrated strength since KOC arrived. https://t.co/XLZAdhWsmA

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) February 18, 2025

Hingst had a hand in the 2022 Minnesota Vikings squad that won 13 games under first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell. He came to the Minnesota organization after spending 2013-2020 with the Philadelphia Eagles. His tenure there includes a Super Bowl victory at U.S. Bank Stadium over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Jeremy Scott, the man that Hingst is replacing, has been the Panthers head strength and conditioning coach since 2020. He previously joined the organization after working with Baylor and Temple at the collegiate level.

Current Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales took over prior to the 2024 season, as a rookie head coach. They had a tough year at 5-12. He previously worked as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator in 2023. That team finished with a 13-9 record.

As Carolina looks to improve upon the 5-12 season filled with tumultuous decisions, more fresh perspective could benefit the organization. Hingst fits that mold as a respectable hire, and Minnesota must be selective in finding his replacement.

Related: Local Insiders Seem Prematurely Sold on Minnesota Vikings’ Ultimate Plan for Sam Darnold

It’s unfortunate that, to this point, the Minnesota Vikings coaching losses have come in the form of well-respected assistants that could have potentially been promoted within. Expanded roles for Udinski or Hingst may have deterred them from ultimately landing elsewhere.

As is the case with their departing free agents and roster, Minnesota has a significant offseason ahead of them to make sure all of the pieces click. It would be disappointing to experience a big step backwards after a 14-win season.