Aloha, Skoloholics! As we are all aware, the Minnesota Vikings have a vacancy at their defensive coordinator position. There have been rumors, speculation, and possibilities galore, but now, they’re actually going to interview a couple of folks. One of these is going to make most Vikings fans happy, the other may induce the opposite effect among a majority of the fan base.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Minnesota Vikings will interview Mike Pettine today, and they’ll interview Brian Flores tomorrow.
Mike Pettine
As you likely know, Mike Pettine is currently the Vikings’ assistant head coach, coaching history courtesy of PFR. In previous roles, he was the defensive coordinator for the Packers, and Jets, and served as head coach of the Browns. My only issue with Pettine is that he was on our defensive coaching staff last year, and therefore at least somewhat responsible for the horrendous 2022-23 Minnesota Vikings defense. Maybe Donatell refused to receive input from his coaches, but I don’t know that to be a fact, so I’ll assume that Pettine had some input into that garbage we watched all season on the defensive side of the ball. I could be convinced otherwise, as Pettine has certainly had a great deal of success as a defensive coordinator in the past. For now, I’m skeptical of hiring Pettine as DC.
Brian Flores
Brian Flores is currently the Steelers’ defensive assistant and linebackers coach, history courtesy of PFR. Before Pittsburgh, Flores was the Miami Dolphins’ head coach, and before that, served in many other defensive roles for the Patriots. Flores is a hot commodity, and although I fear he’d be a stop-gap for a year or two until he gets another head coaching gig, he would be considered a prize if the Vikings were able to land him here. Fans have been wrong in the past, but Flores seems to be the top candidate that we’ve heard being attached to the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator position.
I hope the team works diligently so that they can land the guy they want. SKOL!!!!!!!
Wow, night and day difference for my excitement over each candidate.
Pettine would be a disaster of a hire. Flores is exactly who we need.
I’d prefer they go outside the organization, last year’s defense was comparatively bad to the 2013 Vikings defense.
Not sure if I´d be happy with an in-house solution, as Brad mentioned Pettine has to take some responsibility for this season´s disaster as he was part of the defensive coaching staff.
Flores could be a good hire, some are pretty high on his potential, I don´t know enough about him to lean either way. Hope Queasy and KOC manage to find the right coach for this defense, this time.
one thing we know.
The Viking will mess this up somehow.
If you are an “assistant head coach”, doesn’t that mean you are washed up?
Hard no on Pettine.
I would like to go outside of the org for this hire.
to think Pettine didn’t have any involvement or say in the defense is crazy… would be more of the same
Flores or Bust!