The Viking Age
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5 Vikings assistants who could be a head coach in 2021

By Nik Edlund

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Minnesota Vikings defense line coordinator Andre PattersonGeorge Edwards looks on in the fourth quarter during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Minnesota Vikings defense line coordinator Andre PattersonGeorge Edwards looks on in the fourth quarter during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo By Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images) Andre Patterson – Minnesota Vikings /

Andre Patterson

Of all the coaches on this list, Andre Patterson is the one who really has earned a shot at getting head coaching consideration. He has great examples of his work who are currently playing for the Vikings.

He took a raw and unrefined Danielle Hunter and has coached him into being one of the best defensive ends in the entire league. Hunter isn’t just a pass rusher, Patterson has taught him the importance of defending the run as well, and he’s arguably the most complete defensive end in the entire NFL.

Patterson’s latest success story is Ifeadi Odenigbo. Odenigbo was a seventh-round pick of the Vikings in 2017. After making the practice squad his first season, he flamed out with the team and was cut in 2018. He had a brief stint with the Browns and Cardinals before returning to the Vikings. Patterson worked extensively with Odenigbo and his hard work paid dividends last season, as Odenigbo went on to have seven sacks in spot duty, and will start at right defensive end in 2020.

Patterson’s impressive track record of developing talent and the success of his defensive line unit will get him consideration for some head coaching jobs. He’s now the Vikings co-defensive coordinator and if the defense takes a big step forward this year, he could get plenty of interviews at season’s end.

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