The Minnesota Vikings have hired offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell from Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams as their new head coach.

Washington (SID) – The NFL’s Minnesota Vikings have hired offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell from the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams as their new head coach. The club made the announcement on Wednesday. “We are overjoyed,” said Vikings owner Mark Wilf. “He is a strong leader, an innovative coach and an excellent communicator,” Wilf said.

The 36-year-old O’Connell succeeds Mike Zimmer, who was fired last month after eight seasons in Minnesota. The Vikings had recently missed the play-offs twice in a row. This is O’Connell’s first stint as head coach.