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Minnesota Vikings Under-the-Radar Assistant Lands Another OC Interview
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- Minnesota Vikings Under-the-Radar Assistant Lands Another OC Interview
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Less than a couple of weeks after being eliminated from the 2024-25 NFL Playoff field, optimism may be shining through in Eagan. As of Tuesday, it appears the Minnesota Vikings may end up dodging many of the coaching staff landmines laid throughout the 2025 coaching/executive hiring cycle.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores appears to be out of the running in all three of the head coaching jobs he interviewed for over the weekend, with the Jets, Jaguars and Bears. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown also interviewed for the New York head coaching job, but doesn't appear to be a realistic hire in the Big Apple.
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Minnesota Vikings assistant coach lands additional offensive coordinator interview
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Then, there is WR coach Keenan McCardell. The WR coach was hoping to land an offensive coordinator interview, but has yet to get that phone call. And finally, we get to a more under-the-radar Minnesota Vikings assistant — assistant QB Coach Grant Udinski — who is still in the running for the offensive coordinator job in Seattle .
Related: Looks Like Vikings DC Brian Flores is Out of Head Coaching Opportunities
On Tuesday, however, we learned that's no longer the 29-year-old assistant's only opportunity. According to NFL insider Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated) , Udinski has picked up a new offensive coordinator interview, this time with the New England Patriots .
The Patriots interviewed Vikings assistant OC/assistant QBs coach Grant Udinski for their offensive coordinator job yesterday, per sources. Udinski's very valuable in Minnesota—and considered a rising star in the field.
The 28-year-old is also a finalist for the Seattle OC job.— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 21, 2025
Grant Udinski began his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, as "Assistant to the Head Coach and Special Projects". Before the 2023 season, he was promoted to assistant QB coach and "chief of special projects". Without a doubt, Udinski played a major role in Sam Darnold 's turnaround season. He's also credited for some of Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens' short-term success in 2023.
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Before Grant Udinski was with the Vikings
Prior to landing with the Vikings, the bright, young offensive mind cut his NFL teeth with the Carolina Panthers , late in the 2019 season. Udinski got there after finishing as a graduate assistant with the Baylor Bears.
Related: Vikings Superstar Justin Jefferson Receives Another Honor
Before he began his career as a football coach, the Doylestown, PA native was a defensive end at Towson from 2016-2018. In his final season, Grant Udinski finished with 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was also named a 2018 CoSIDA Academic First Team All-American. Now, just seven short years later, the Minnesota Vikings assistant coach seems to be blossoming into one of the most sought-after young offensive coaches in the NFL.
