Kevin O’Connell Describes Head Coach Emotions

An internal and external search committee began initial interviews for the general manager position on Jan. 16, including Adofo-Mensah on Jan. 17.

Realizing that the Rams could go all the way to the Super Bowl, the committee also made sure to request initial interviews with O’Connell and Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris on Jan. 21 (during the permitted window allowed by NFL rules).

Adofo-Mensah appeared alongside Mark Wilf on the same stage for an introductory press conference on Jan. 27 before quickly ramping up his involvement with the Vikings head coach search committee. Working with the crew that had selected him, Adofo-Mensah participated in multiple interviews, including with O’Connell and Morris in Los Angeles.

“When there are big decisions in life, a lot of times you like to think back, ‘Was there a moment when you sort of knew?’ I … was thinking about the second-round interview. We were talking about offensive philosophy, personnel, player evaluations, and it was like I was talking with one of my close football friends who I’ve spent hours and hours upon hours with, and this was an hour into the interview. It was just so natural.

“Everybody else that was in that interview said it right after, that the connection, the energy was incredible there, and upon reflection, I think in that moment I probably knew myself,” Adofo-Mensah said. “I’m extremely pleased with the thorough and detailed process we went through. I think we interviewed multiple future head coaches, but we’re excited about the guy sitting next to me and what we have.”