GREEN BAY, Wis. – Kevin O’Connell wasn’t quite 30 years old in 2015 when he got his first NFL coaching job as quarterbacks coach of the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns’ 36-year-old defensive backs coach was Jeff Hafley.
On Sunday, O’Connell will lead his Minnesota Vikings into Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. O’Connell is the head coach and offensive play-caller for the undefeated Vikings. Hafley is the defensive coordinator for the one-loss Packers.
“From the first day I met him, we kind of hit it off,” O’Connell told reporters in Minneapolis this week. “I really do respect him as much as anybody in this league, and a very smart hire by Matt (LaFleur) to bring him in there.