Although the Minnesota Vikings look like they will be able to retain defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the team needed to fill multiple spots on the coaching staff before it will be ready for the 2026 NFL season.
Some assistants were poached by other teams, while others didn't have their contracts renewed. No matter what happened, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell had some work to do this offseason.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is filling out his coaching staff for the 2026 NFL season.
News of new hires for the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff began to come in on Saturday. The first announcement came from Ian Rapoport on X.
#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell continues to remodel his staff, adding former #Dolphins OC Frank Smith as assistant head coach and Keith Carter as offensive line coach, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2026
Smith worked with Mike McDaniel and will help with the offense and run game planning. pic.twitter.com/hSKdooGwyj
In the post from Rapoport, he states that Minnesota has added former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as a new assistant head coach. While in Miami, Smith assisted Mike McDaniel with the offense and run game planning.
Smith was the Dolphins' offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2005. Bringing in an experienced offensive mind as an assistant head coach is a great move that should help a unit that struggled to move the ball last season.
Also, it was announced that the Vikings have added Keith Carter as their new offensive line coach. Minnesota opted not to renew Chris Kuper's contract after the 2025 NFL season. Carter is a former tight end from UCLA who has been coaching since 2005. Most recently, he was the offensive line coach & run game coordinator for the New York Jets.
But the news about the coaching changes wasn't done for the day. Merely five minutes later, Ian Rapoport posted again with two new hires for the purple and gold.
More additions for the #Vikings: Gerald Alexander will become the defensive pass game coordinator and DBs coach, while former #Jaguars DC Ryan Nielsen comes on as D-line coach and defensive run game coordinator, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2026
Daronte Jones left to be Commanders DC. pic.twitter.com/lctod9azP1
Daronte Jones used to be the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator for Minnesota. However, he was hired by the Washington Commanders to be their next defensive coordinator. That move opened the door to hiring Gerald Alexander to fill that role.
Alexander specializes in working with defensive backs and spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was also a safety in the NFL from 2007 to 2011, playing for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.
Finally, Ryan Nielsen has been brought on to be the Vikings' defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator. The former USC defensive tackle spent last season as the senior defensive assistant for the Buffalo Bills, but has been coaching since 2002.
Congratulations to all the new hires by the Minnesota Vikings, and best of luck to them in the 2026 NFL season and beyond.