3 immediate replacements for Ed Donatell the Vikings need to consider
By Adam Patrick
Mike Pettine
- Current Role with Vikings: Assistant head coach
- Experience as a Defensive Coordinator: 8 years
Before joining Kevin O’Connell‘s staff as Minnesota’s assistant head coach this year, Mike Pettine most recently spent the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.
During the 2020 campaign, the Packers ranked 13th in the NFL in points allowed, ninth in yards allowed, 13th in rushing yards allowed, and seventh in passing yards allowed. Green Bay also ranked 10th in the league in sacks and 17th in expected points contributed in 2020.
Before he was hired by the Packers during the 2018 offseason, Pettine was the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator in 2013 and the New York Jets defensive coordinator from 2009 to 2012. Along with the help of former Jets head coach Rex Ryan, Pettine helped turn New York into one of the best defenses in the league during his tenure with the franchise.
It’s possible that he might already have a role with how the Vikings’ current defense is working this season, but he is definitely a more than worthy candidate to replace Ed Donatell in the near future if that’s a route that the team decides to take.