MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Vikings were bounced early from the playoffs this season by the New York Giants, and the first firing from that debacle is defensive coordinator Ed Donatell.
Statement from Head Coach Kevin O’Connell:
Today I informed Ed Donatell we will be going in a different direction at defensive coordinator in 2023. While this was a difficult decision because of the tremendous respect I have for Ed as a person and a coach, I believe it is the right move for the future of our football team.
I want to thank Ed for his commitment to the Vikings this past season, for the positive impact he had on our players and coaches and for his role in helping me as a first-year head coach lay this foundation. We all wish Ed and his wife, Shari, only the best in the future.
We will immediately begin our search to fill this critical role as we continue to build a championship standard for the Minnesota Vikings.
Donatell served only one season in Minnesota. The defense ranked near the bottom and league: 31st in total defense and 26th in scoring.
Fans had high hopes for the Vikings this season. An easy path to the NFC North title and a home playoff game had some delirious purple fanatics thinking Super Bowl. But the New York Giants had other ideas, shredding the Viking defense early and often in cruising to victory behind 431 yards of offense.
