Kevin O’Connell, who led the Minnesota Vikings to the second-most victories in a season in franchise history, is the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year, chosen in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
Detroit executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes, whose personnel moves helped the Lions earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, is the 2024 NFL Executive of the Year.
Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who oversaw a balanced group that led the league in several categories and helped the Lions capture the NFC’s top playoff seed, is the 2024 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
O’Connell led the Vikings to a 14-3 record including a nine-game winning streak from Weeks 9-17. The nine-game streak tied for the third-longest winning streak in Vikings history. He is the first head coach in NFL history since at least 1950 to win at least 14 games in a season with a quarterback who is in his first season with a team (Sam Darnold). The Vikings were in contention for the NFC North title and the NFC’s No. 1 seed until the final game of the season. The Vikings were sixth in passing yards per game (237.8), seventh in passing yards per play (7.38), ninth in points per game (25.4), first in interception rate (3.77 percent), second in rushing yards allowed per game (93.4) and fourth in rushing yards allowed per play (4.05). Wide receiver Justin Jefferson was selected to the PFWA’s All-NFL and All-NFC teams while outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel along with cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. were selected to the All-NFC team.
This is the first PFWA Coach of the Year honor for O’Connell, and the second Coach of the Year award for the Vikings’ franchise as Bud Grant was the 1969 NFL honoree.
Holmes directed the Lions ascent to the NFC’s No. 1 seed in 2024. Detroit was 15-2 this season, the most victories in a season in Lions history. The Lions were 8-0 on the road, setting a franchise road victory record, and the club won 11 straight games from Weeks 3-14 – the longest winning streak in Detroit history. The Lions set a club mark with consecutive NFC North titles (2023-24), and Detroit earned the No. 1 seed for the first time. The Lions draft success of the previous four seasons has been the cornerstone of the resurgence. The players drafted by Holmes since coming on board in 2021 who received 2024 PFWA honors include tackle Penei Sewell (2021), an All-NFL and All-NFC choice, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (2021), an All-NFC selection, safety Kerby Joseph (2022), placed on both the All-NFL and All-NFC teams and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (2023), an All-NFC pick. In addition, the Lions signed All-NFC punt returner Kalif Raymond as an unrestricted free agent in 2021. Detroit’s 2024 NFL Draft selections included eventual 2024 PFWA All-Rookie selection Sione Vaki (special teamer) in the fourth round. Gibbs and St. Brown were part of an offensive group that was the first in NFL history to have two running backs and two wide receivers all produce 1,000 scrimmage yards in a season. The Lions also acquired quarterback Jared Goff from the Los Angeles Rams in a 2021 trade, and Goff earned 2024 All-NFC honors after he passed for 37 touchdowns and 4,629 yards.
This is the second consecutive and overall PFWA Executive of the Year honor for Holmes and the Lions since the award was established in 1993. Holmes is only the second executive to win the award in consecutive seasons, joining Bill Polian with the Carolina Panthers in 1995-96.
Johnson completed his sixth season with the Lions, and his third as offensive coordinator in 2024. This season, Johnson oversaw one of the most prolific offensive attacks in the league as Detroit set franchise marks in most points scored (564; fourth-most in NFL history), touchdowns (70; tied for fourth in NFL history), first downs (410; fifth in NFL history) and total net yards (6,962). The Lions led the NFL in points, points per game (33.2), touchdowns, first downs, were second in both total offense per game (409.5) and passing offense per game (263.2) and tied for second in rushing TDs (29). Detroit had 10 30-point games, six of which produced 40 or more points and two surpassed the 50-point threshold. The Lions also led the league in point differential at +222. The Lions joined the 2000 St. Louis Rams as the only teams with at least 35 passing touchdowns (38) and 25 rushing TDs (26). The balanced attack saw seven different players producing a game with multiple touchdowns, and five players scored at least seven TDs – which tied an NFL mark.
Johnson is the first Lions assistant to receive the PFWA award established in 1993. He was named the Chicago Bears head coach on January 21.
2024 COACH OF THE YEAR: Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
2024 EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR: Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions
2024 ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions