TELL ME A STORY: Aztec Turned Viking

Kevin O’Connell
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell (’07) says he feels fortunate for his time at San Diego State University. “It is such a special place,” O’Connell says. Photograph courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

From 2004 to 2007, SDSU alumnus Kevin O’Connell (’07) led the Aztec football team as its quarterback and captain. He had a short stint as a player in the NFL, but his career would end up being defined in a different way: as a coach. On Feb. 6, just shy of three years after being named Minnesota Vikings head coach, O’Connell was named Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year.

By Kevin O’Connell, as told to Tobin Vaughn

IN THE 2008 NFL DRAFT, I WAS THE NEW ENGLAND Patriots’ third-round draft pick and a backup quarterback for Tom Brady. While I never had a winning record at San Diego State University, I was a four-year captain. That meant something to Bill Belichick, then the head coach. 

I got some playing time, but by my third season with various teams, NFL coaches were saying, “You’re not going to be a player. You’re going to be a coach.” Turns out, they were on to something. 

I didn’t have much time to prepare for my first interview for an NFL head coach position, but I remember walking out feeling like everything I said was authentic. Everything came from my heart and a lifetime of football experience that I was naturally comfortable discussing. So when I got the Minnesota Vikings job in 2022, every day since, my goal has been to be authentic to who I am and to be a relationship builder. 

Kevin O’Connell, playing on the SDSU Aztec football team
In 2004, O’Connell became the first player in Aztec history to pass and rush for more than 100 yards in the same game. Courtesy photograph by Ernie Anderson from “100 Seasons of Aztec Football”

As a quarterback, the satisfaction is figuring out how you can play to help the other 10 guys in the huddle be better. Coaching is not that much different, but I sometimes think it’s more gratifying. It’s almost like being a dad and seeing your kids having success at something they care about. I’m able to form unique relationships with players at all different positions and guys doing totally different jobs—but with one goal. Accomplishing that unbelievable goal of winning a Super Bowl will be something that we’ll all remember for the rest of our lives. And it’s really cool to be in a position to help them do that. 

During my time as a student athlete at San Diego State, great people had huge effects on me. They helped show me the importance of always learning, adapting, improving and trying to become the best version of myself for the greater good of others, which is what I think true leadership is really all about.