Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Joins List Of NFL’s Top Coaches In 2022

Coaching in the National Football League has changed dramatically over the years. Old-school, my-way-or-the-highway types are gone. There are no more coaches in the NFL who regularly threaten a player’s existence on a regular basis.

That includes Bill Belichick, who is as close to the old-school style as anyone out there. Belichick doesn’t scream or threaten his Patriots players – he just does what he thinks will help his team. Pete Carroll is the oldest coach in the NFL at age 71, but he was never an old-school type in terms of delivering an exceptionally tough working environment.

Carroll was the last coach who ran a tougher and harder hitting training camp, and that regularly gave the Seahawks an edge in early-season games, because their blocking and tackling was far better than their opponents in September. However, rule changes have limited what a head coach can do with his team in training camp.

The top coaches in the league regularly uplift their players and build confidence. Here’s a look at the top 5 coaches in the 2022 season, and their greatest assets.

Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles

It’s fairly clear that Sirianni is the favorite to win the Coach of the Year Award, as the Eagles have an 11-1 record and are playing the most consistent football in the league. Sirianni appears to have mastered his job in his second year as a head coach with the Eagles, and his greatest strength is his ability to identify mistakes and make sure they are not repeated.

Sirianni did great work in 2021 with quarterback Jalen Hurts, pointing out his errors and flaws, and the quarterback has listened. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice, and that has allowed Hurts to put himself in serious contention for the MVP Award.

While the Eagles have talent and a solid game plan, this is not a team that has a boatload of superstars. Instead, the Eagles are the most cohesive team in the league and there has been no let-up. They are the team to beat in the NFC as the regular season reaches the home stretch.

Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings were a talented team under former head coach Mike Zimmer, but the team had suffered so many close defeats that it became impossible for the team to succeed. Disappointing seasons in 2020 and 2021 led to a regime change, and the new leadership brought in a bright, optimistic head coach in O’Connell.

In addition to rebuilding the lockerroom, which had grown dismal under Zimmer, O’Connell has excelled in game management. Instead of giving up points at the end of the half and failing to come through in the final moments of the game, O’Connell has made the moves that help the 10-2 Vikings succeed in those situations. The team’s ability to execute at peak efficiency in the fourth quarter has been exceptional.

Robert Saleh, New York Jets

The Jets have been a joke near the bottom of the AFC for years, but that has changed as Saleh has laid the foundation of success in his second season. Saleh had a lot to learn after a successful run as a the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, and it showed in 2021. However, he has built a powerful defense in his second year, and has come across as a strong and thoughtful leader in his decision making.

He has made a big change at the quarterback position that could have fractured the team if it had not been handled so well. Zach Wilson has been demoted from starter to third-string, while unheralded Mike White has taken over the reins and had a positive impact. Few coaches could have handled this situation as well as Saleh.

Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins

If ever there has been a football coach who looks like he should be doing taxes at H&R BlockSQ
, it’s McDaniel. Scrawny in appearance, the creative McDaniel has built one of the most explosive offensive teams in the league with Tua Tagovailoa as his quarterback.

McDaniel has given his team a chance to win every week, and he has given his defensive coaches the opportunity to build a unit that complements the offense. When the Dolphins get off to a hot start, there are few teams can match them in offensive firepower.

Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys

McCarthy appeared to be past his expiration date in his final head coaching years with the Green Bay Packers, as the team rarely played to its offensive potential despite the presence of Aaron Rodgers under center. But that was not a fair assessment, because McCarthy had been exceptional at the start of his run with Green Bay.

McCarthy was criticized for his game management last year with the Cowboys, but this year has built an offense with a killer instinct that has scored 40 or more points in three of its last five games. Momentum is building for the Cowboys, and they are viewed by many observers as the team with the best chance to slow down the Eagles on their run to the Super Bowl.