Former Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Lands Job with Bill Belichick

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Former Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Lands Job with Bill Belichick

Minnesota Vikings, Mike Priefer — Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images

Ezra Greenman · Minnesota Sports Fan

Wed, Jan 15, 2025 ·

2 min read

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With the offseason in full swing for college and NFL teams, plenty of coaches are switching jobs or moving to new opportunities. One familiar name is now making a return to football, and it is a former Minnesota Vikings coordinator. Mike Priefer is set to join the North Carolina Tar Heels under their new head coach, and NFL legend Bill Belichick.

Longtime Viking Mike Priefer to join Bill Belichick at North Carolina

Mike Priefer, the former Minnesota Vikings special teams coordinator from (2011-2018) and Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator (2019-2022) is officially returning to coaching. It was announced today that he'll be taking on that same role on Bill Belichick's staff at North Carolina.

Sources: Longtime NFL special teams coach Mike Priefer is expected to finalize a deal to become the new special teams coach at North Carolina. He's worked in the NFL since 2002 and been a head special teams coach from 2006-2022. pic.twitter.com/dFf8HgK5dL

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 15, 2025

Mike Priefer, 58, brings a wealth of experience as a special teams coordinator to North Carolina. He held the role with four NFL teams: the Kansas City Chiefs (2006-08), Denver Broncos (2009-10), Minnesota Vikings (2011-18), and Cleveland Browns (2019-22).

After his time with the Vikings, Priefer joined Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland. Stefanski, his former Vikings colleague, had landed and still has the head coaching job with the Browns.

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In 2012, he was named Special Teams Coordinator of the Year. A key factor was also Vikings kicker Blair Walsh , who delivered an outstanding rookie season. In Week 13 of the 2016 season, Priefer stepped in as the Vikings' head coach against the Dallas Cowboys . He filled in for Mike Zimmer , who missed the game due to emergency eye surgery.

Priefer is now joining the legendary Bill Belichick at North Carolina. Belichick is stepping into the challenge of building a college program for the first time in his career. Priefer brings a wealth of experience and valuable insight to the staff. With his help, they'll be aiming to contend for a national championship.

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