5 Things to Know About Head Coach Kevin O’Connell

2. O’Connell is a smart cookie

You might be aware that O’Connell graduated from San Diego State University in 2007 with a degree in political science.

But did you know he also earned the highest score on the Wonderlic test at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine?

There are differing opinions on the weight Wonderlic results should hold, but O’Connell’s intelligence is praised anecdotally, too. For instance, former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann, who now calls the team’s preseason games and knows O’Connell well, said the Vikings new head coach is “an extremely bright, bright guy.”

3. Brief broadcasting career

In between his NFL playing days and his first coaching job in the league, as the Browns quarterbacks coach in 2015, O’Connell pivoted to broadcasting.

He worked for KOGO Radio 600 as the sideline reporter for the SDSU broadcast team and later recorded some TV hits for a local NBC affiliate.

“My number one goal was always to play in the NFL, and if I wasn’t able to do that I wanted to coach or be a part of broadcasting,” O’Connell said at the time.

4. Advocate for childhood cancer battles

In December, O’Connell participated in the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign and donned some custom-painted kicks himself.

He represented Club NEGU (Never Give Up), a nonprofit that supports children fighting cancer and fundraises for pediatric cancer research. The organization was established in memory of Jessica Rees, a seventh grader who passed away in 2012 after a 10-month battle with brain cancer.