Poll -- who do you want as defensive coordinator?

Definitely not Pettine. Flores is just a name who's never done anything and wasn't wanted back in New England. It would be between Desai and Nielsen for me and I'd go Nielsen based on his resume and the way the Saints have been on defense during his tenure. Also regarded as one of the best defensive line coaches in the league which to me is our biggest weakness, so sign me up 

After George Edwards was fired, I was hoping we'd kick the tires on him. I don't know just how involved he was as Zimmers guy. But the defense seemed to fall off the cliff after he left.

I have to imagine that Fangio is also an option, unless there's reasons he wouldn't be.

Ejiro Evero is my choice, but I'm afraid the Broncos will hold on to him until the Head Coach position is settled, or he gets the Colts or Texans Head Coaching job he's already interviewed for. He and KOC worked on the Ram's staff together. I'm fine with Desai, Flores, or Nielsen as a Consolation Prize. 

I voted _onatell just to screw with the tally. 

@"TBro" said: Ejiro Evero is my choice, but I'm afraid the Broncos will hold on to him until the Head Coach position is settled, or he gets the Colts or Texans Head Coaching job he's already interviewed for. He and KOC worked on the Ram's staff together. I'm fine with Desai, Flores, or Nielsen as a Consolation Prize. 

That's where I am leaning now.

@"medaille" said: I have to imagine that Fangio is also an option, unless there's reasons he wouldn't be.

Was wondering about that too. He's probably the top option for a lot of teams. But he doesn't appear to be making the rounds like the others, talking to only a few select teams. There's also talk he might end up wherever Sean Payton goes. 

Of course Fangio was Donatell's mentor, so for better or worse, he might install the same damn defense. Probably manage it better, but still, I don't think that would sit well with a lot of Viking fans. 

I want to write in Jimmy.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"medaille" said: I have to imagine that Fangio is also an option, unless there's reasons he wouldn't be.

Was wondering about that too. He's probably the top option for a lot of teams. But he doesn't appear to be making the rounds like the others, talking to only a few select teams. There's also talk he might end up wherever Sean Payton goes. 

Of course Fangio was Donatell's mentor, so for better or worse, he might install the same damn defense. Probably manage it better, but still, I don't think that would sit well with a lot of Viking fans. 

@"Caactorvike" said: I want to write in Jimmy.

+1 Let's go Jimmy!

@"Kentis" said:

Is that another vote for me?

Evero or Flores or possibly a Bengals D coach that might be able to replicate what they are doing.

And Nielson is off the board.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/27/falcons-hire-ryan-nielsen-as-defensive-coordinator/

@"TBro" said: Ejiro Evero is my choice, but I'm afraid the Broncos will hold on to him until the Head Coach position is settled, or he gets the Colts or Texans Head Coaching job he's already interviewed for. He and KOC worked on the Ram's staff together. I'm fine with Desai, Flores, or Nielsen as a Consolation Prize. 

I would take Evero as my top choice too.  Desai is up there as well from what I've read up on him.  Seems like a guy that relates well to players (all the top defenders in Chicago loved him) and he fits the KOC mold.  

I don't think we could go wrong with either one.  Little leery of Flores, but he's a good DC.

It’s been about a week and a half since the Vikings fired Ed Donatell as their defensive coordinator. His dismissal came a few days after the Vikings hemorrhaged yardage in a 31-24 loss to the New York Giants in the first round of the playoffs at U.S. Bank Stadium.
With the Vikings no longer in contention for the Super Bowl, the search for the new coordinator is at the forefront of most discussions regarding the team. Whoever head coach Kevin O’Connell decides on will be tasked with fixing a group that finished this season No. 31 in the NFL in total defense.
The initial interview last week went to former New Orleans Saints assistant coach Ryan Nielsen, though he is no longer an option after the Atlanta Falcons named him their new defensive coordinator. Aside from Nielsen, the Vikings have interviewed Seattle Seahawks assistant coach Sean Desai, their own assistant coach Mike Pettine and, most recently, Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Brian Flores.
The remaining interviewed candidates are each attractive for different reasons.

Desai, 39, learned under the legendary Vic Fangio while with the Chicago Bears and appears to be a rising star in the game. His familiarity with the 3-4 scheme installed by O’Connell in his first season in Minnesota. It’s also worth noting that Desai interviewed for the same position with the Vikings last offseason before they hired Donatell.
Pettine, 56, coached alongside O’Connell this season and offers the best chance to maintain some continuity with the personnel already in place. He has experience as an NFL head coach and also worked for the Green Bay Packers as their defensive coordinator from 2018-2020.
Flores, 41, has a solid reputation across the league and would be viewed by many as a perfect fit for a defense in need of a facelift. After making a name for himself with the New England Patriots during his rise up the ranks, Flores was named the Miami Dolphins’ head coach but was fired despite leading the franchise to back-to-back winning seasons.
Though it’s still unclear why the Vikings haven’t made a hire yet, there’s a chance they could be waiting for the other shoe to drop with Flores before they make their final decision. He recently interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals to be their next head coach and that process is still ongoing.
who-have-vikings-interviewed-in-search-for-new-defensive-coordinatorhow-close-are-the-vikings-to-hiring-their-new-defensive-coordinator

@"Caactorvike" said: I want to write in Jimmy.

I think the Vikings are trying to move away from hiring cranky, old dudes like Zimmer for coaches...  

@"Wetlander" said:

@"Caactorvike" said: I want to write in Jimmy.

I think the Vikings are trying to move away from hiring cranky, old dudes like Zimmer for coaches...  

Their first choice has to be Brian Flores right?  With it taking this long, they've got to be waiting out to see what the Cardinals do.

Jimmy must be a dang tough negotiator!