5 Things to Know About Defensive Coordinator Ed…

2. Most recently was with the Broncos

While Donatell experienced the top of the NFL mountain with Denver, he also arrives in Minnesota having just spent the past three seasons with the Broncos.

Donatell was Denver’s defensive coordinator from 2019-21 when Vic Fangio was the head coach, and Donatell helped that unit find plenty of success.

The Broncos ranked third in points allowed per game (18.9) in 2021, and they were eighth overall in yards allowed per game (326.1).

Denver’s defense also ranked third in red-zone scoring percentage (50 percent), fifth in first downs allowed per game (18.4) and were eighth in goal-to-go percentage at 63.64.

3. This is Donatell’s 4th NFL DC job

Donatell’s arrival in Minnesota marks his fourth defensive coordinator job in the NFL.

His first time in that role was with the Packers from 2000-03, as Green Bay’s defense finished in the top half of the league in points and yards allowed per game in his first three years on the job.

Donatell then spent three seasons as the DC in Atlanta from 2004-06 but wasn’t in an NFL coordinator role again until he joined the Broncos in 2019. He will now be a DC for a fourth time – and for a third different NFC team.

Donatell has also served in various coaching roles with the Jets, 49ers and Bears in his career. His first NFL job was in New York from 1990-94 as the defensive backs coach.

He spent 2011-14 as San Francisco’s defensive backs coach. Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah joined the 49ers in 2013 as the Manager of Football Research and Development, spending two total seasons in the same building with Donatell.