Udinski to the Jags
Just hired as their OC. That sucks. Was hoping we'd have him for at least another season, as he seems someone who was very valuable to KOC and the QB room.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43712846/grant-udinski-leaving-vikings-new-oc-jaguars
The artist formerly known as PurpleCrush.
StickierBuns wrote:
Talented people move onward and upward, part of the deal. Good for Udinski. McCarthy had a year with him which I'm sure he benefitted from. Not sure the team needs to replace him as he was an assistant QB coach, but maybe they will. KOC has a bigger than average staff of coaches. Liam Coen is the new HC there and I'm going to guess he's going to be calling the plays on the sidelines or heavily involved in calling plays/gameplan, so this will be almost like an 'assistant' OC spot much like Wes Phillips does now with Minnesota as KOC is the play caller. It'll be a good spot for Udinski to learn and contribute more interactively, especially with a QB like Lawrence that isn't limited in arm strength or mobility compared to where he may have gone and that not being the case. I personally don't worry about losing coaches, you just need to pick the next up-and-comer to replace them as a bunch of high aptitude guys are just waiting for their shot. The Vikings organization has a great reputation and is a very good landing spot, but generally teams will promote from within if they have the base which I believe Minnesota does.
That's the biggest takeaway for me about him leaving. Regardless of who'll be in that QB room next season, I felt that Udinski was a good sounding board for JJ and was able to give him personal time that maybe McCown couldn't.
Ben Goessling
@BenGoessling
J.J. McCarthy called him almost nightly this summer with questions on the Vikings' scheme.
The artist formerly known as PurpleCrush.
Sounds like Udinski has a bright future, but good programs are going to lose good people. I'm not sure if the coaching carousel is over yet, but if he's the only coach we lose this offseason, I think we have to consider that a win.
MaroonBells wrote:
Sounds like Udinski has a bright future, but good programs are going to lose good people. I'm not sure if the coaching carousel is over yet, but if he's the only coach we lose this offseason, I think we have to consider that a win.
Agreed. Daronte Jones, McCardell are some others that I thought might leave this offseason. Glad to have most of the band back, though.
The artist formerly known as PurpleCrush.
StickierBuns wrote:
Talented people move onward and upward, part of the deal. Good for Udinski. McCarthy had a year with him which I'm sure he benefitted from. Not sure the team needs to replace him as he was an assistant QB coach, but maybe they will. KOC has a bigger than average staff of coaches. Liam Coen is the new HC there and I'm going to guess he's going to be calling the plays on the sidelines or heavily involved in calling plays/gameplan, so this will be almost like an 'assistant' OC spot much like Wes Phillips does now with Minnesota as KOC is the play caller. It'll be a good spot for Udinski to learn and contribute more interactively, especially with a QB like Lawrence that isn't limited in arm strength or mobility compared to where he may have gone and that not being the case.I personally don't worry about losing coaches, you just need to pick the next up-and-comer to replace them as a bunch of high aptitude guys are just waiting for their shot. The Vikings organization has a great reputation and is a very good landing spot, but generally teams will promote from within if they have the base which I believe Minnesota does.
I think Josh McCown has a lot of respect on this staff. I didn't want to lose Josh. He was always talking to Darnold on the sidelines. Always in Darnold year. I believe Josh was bigger for this team and QBs than we realize. JJ said in an interview, I can't remember which one, that he is constantly talking and texting Josh questions. Talking about situations that come up or if a certain situation comes up. McCown has a great chance to develop here in MN under KOC. That is who I didn't want to lose.
I hate losing quality in the pipeline like Udinski...But what an opportunity for him to get one of the 32 OC jobs on the planet. I would have moved Phillips to retirement and promoted Udinski. But then you got some splaining to do to McKown.
Would love to have had him around another year for JJM.
After witnessing the coaching disruption in Detroit, I am almost grateful we lost just one.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
It happens. We won 14 games this year. If we win games coaches will get opportunities. I think we made it through relatively unscathed.
Udinski was a big part of game planning. Jags will be replacing him in 3-5 years when he leaves for a HC position. Interesting dude.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
Udinski was a big part of game planning. Jags will be replacing him in 3-5 years when he leaves for a HC position. Interesting dude.
Yup.
His ceiling is that high...I think he was ready for OC here, not sure of where the love to keep Phillips over Udinski came from.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Yup.
His ceiling is that high...I think he was ready for OC here, not sure of where the love to keep Phillips over Udinski came from.
Said the same thing. Promote Udinski, give Wes a 12 pack, a bus ticket and a hearty thanks, its not you it's me pat on the way out the door. You can swing a dead cat at the Combine and find six unemployed Wes Phillips.
I think we're set at HC for the duration, but watch history repeat itself and Udinski is holding a Lombardi before the meteor hits.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
O’Connell said it was “bittersweet” to lose assistant offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, who was also hired to a promotion by one of O’Connell’s former Rams coworkers: new Jaguars head coach Liam Coen.
Udinski, 29, interviewed for four offensive coordinator openings. He also talked with the Seahawks, Buccaneers and Texans.
“Grant’s a guy that I’ve followed for the last few years, obviously being very close to Kevin and that process,” Coen said. “It’s a similar process in the way we want to do things, the way we want to operate, the things we’re looking for throughout the work week, getting ahead of those things. He’s an elite communicator. Really obviously high-level intelligence, football IQ. Grant is all ball, no ego. Rides around in a Honda CRV and wants to live as close to the building as he can.”
Source: Startribune (2/25.25)
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.