USATSI
The Minnesota Vikings are making a change atop their defensive masthead. On Thursday, head coach Kevin O’Connell launched a press release asserting that the group has moved on from defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. O’Connell added that the group will start the method of searching for a brand new defensive coordinator instantly.
“Today I knowledgeable Ed Donatell we shall be moving into a unique route at defensive coordinator in 2023,” O’Connell’s assertion reads. “While this was a tough resolution due to the great respect I’ve for Ed as an individual and a coach, I imagine it’s the proper transfer for the way forward for our soccer group. I wish to thank Ed for his dedication to the Vikings this previous season, for the constructive influence he had on our gamers and coaches and for his position in serving to me as a first-year head coach lay this basis. We all want Ed and his spouse, Shari, solely the very best sooner or later.
“We will instantly start our search to fill this important position as we proceed to construct a championship normal for the Minnesota Vikings.”
Donatell was introduced aboard to steer Minnesota’s protection final offseason, becoming a member of O’Connell’s workers as he ascended to go coach after being the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. The 65-year-old has been within the NFL courting again to 1990 when he broke by way of as a defensive backs coach with the New York Jets. He bounced across the league since then and held the DC title for numerous groups: Packers (2000-03), Falcons (2004-06), Washington (2008) and Broncos (2019-21).
Prior to taking the job with the Vikings, Donatell had initially accepted a senior defensive position with the Seahawks however determined to go away Seattle on the alter to grow to be the defensive coordinator in Minnesota.
During the season, the Vikings protection proved to be the group’s Achilles heel. It allowed the second-most complete yards within the NFL, the second-most passing yards, and have been tied for the third-most factors allowed. Minnesota’s protection additionally ranked twenty seventh within the NFL in DVOA. In the Super Wild Card Weekend loss to the Giants, Donatell’s protection surrendered 31 factors, 431 yards of complete offense, and allowed New York to common 6.3 yards per play as Minnesota was despatched house after a 13-4 marketing campaign and being the No. 2 seed within the NFC. All that proved to be sufficient for O’Connell to hunt new administration of his protection going ahead.
