The Minnesota Vikings are reshaping their coaching staff heading into the 2026 NFL season, and head coach Kevin O’Connell is making some notable additions as he looks to fine-tune a team that showed promise but fell short in key areas last year. With several assistants departing-some landing new gigs elsewhere, others not retained-the Vikings are turning the page and bringing in fresh voices on both sides of the ball.
Let’s start with the headline addition: Frank Smith, the former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator, is joining Minnesota as the assistant head coach. Smith brings a strong offensive pedigree to the Twin Cities, having worked closely with Mike McDaniel in Miami to craft one of the league’s more creative and efficient run games.
While McDaniel got much of the spotlight, Smith was instrumental behind the scenes, helping to design schemes that maximized speed, spacing, and misdirection. His arrival in Minnesota signals a clear intent to elevate the Vikings’ offensive identity-particularly in the run game, which struggled to find consistency last season.
Smith’s experience and leadership should also be a valuable asset to O’Connell, who continues to wear the dual hat of head coach and offensive architect. With Smith in the building, O’Connell gets a trusted voice to collaborate with on game-planning and in-game adjustments, while also giving the offense a fresh set of eyes to diagnose what went wrong in 2025 and how to fix it.
The Vikings also addressed a key position in the trenches, bringing in Keith Carter as their new offensive line coach. Carter replaces Chris Kuper, whose contract was not renewed after the season.
Carter, a former UCLA tight end who’s been coaching since 2005, most recently served as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the New York Jets. His background combines technical teaching with a strong emphasis on physicality-something Minnesota’s line could use more of, especially in short-yardage and red zone situations.
If Carter can unlock more consistency up front, it could open up the entire playbook for O’Connell and Smith.
But the staff revamp wasn’t limited to the offensive side. Just minutes after the Smith and Carter news broke, the Vikings added two more names to the defensive coaching staff: Gerald Alexander and Ryan Nielsen.
Alexander steps in as the new defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, filling the void left by Daronte Jones, who took the defensive coordinator job with the Washington Commanders. Alexander brings both playing and coaching experience to the table.
He spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and played safety in the NFL from 2007 to 2011, suiting up for five different teams. His ability to connect with players, paired with a sharp eye for secondary play, makes him a solid fit for a Vikings defense that’s looking to take the next step under Brian Flores.
And speaking of the defense, the Vikings also added Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator. Nielsen, a former USC defensive tackle, spent last season as a senior defensive assistant with the Buffalo Bills and has been coaching since 2002.
Known for his intensity and attention to detail, Nielsen brings a hands-on approach to the defensive front. His job will be to help shore up Minnesota’s run defense, which at times last season was too leaky to hold up against the league’s more physical offenses.
All told, these hires reflect a clear direction from O’Connell and the front office: bring in experienced, detail-oriented coaches who can elevate both the scheme and execution. With Flores staying on as defensive coordinator and a retooled staff around him, the Vikings are positioning themselves to make a real push in 2026.
It’s a pivotal offseason in Minnesota. The roster has talent.
The coaching staff now has depth. The question is whether this new mix can translate into wins when it matters most.