The Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks have been frequent partners in exchanging players and personnel in recent seasons.
From the trade of Percy Harvin, to Seattle signing Tarvaris Jackson, Sidney Rice and Heath Farwell or the Vikings signing John Carlson, the two organizations have been frequently linked together in offseason moves. The trend could continue this offseason as the Vikings search for a new head coach following the firing of Leslie Frazier on Monday.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, the Vikings have asked for interviews with Seattle coordinators Darrell Bevell and Dan Quinn for their head coaching vacancy.
Bevell joined the Seahawks in 2011 after serving as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator under Brad Childress from 2006-2010. Carroll elected to fire offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates after one year and brought in Bevell after Childress was fired in Minnesota. Seattle finished the season eighth in points scored, fourth in rushing ans second in yards per pass attempt.
Quinn is in his first year serving as Seattle’s defensive coordinator. Quinn replaced Gus Bradley after he was hired as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason. Quinn had previously served as defensive coordinator for two years at the University of Florida after two seasons as defensive line coach under Carroll in Seattle. Under Quinn, the Seahawks defense finished first in points per game (14.4), yards per game (273.6), pass yards per game (172.0), interceptions (28) and turnover margin (+20).
Carroll spoke fondly of both coaches on Monday as teams began approaching Seattle in search of their next head coaches.
“One guy is a defensive guy, one guy is an offensive guy, it just depends on what you’re looking for, but both of these guys are fantastic football coaches and they’ve been highly successful, and they’re leading really good units, and they can make all of the decisions and the choices and all of the stuff that you have to make,” Carroll said.
“Neither one of them have been head coaches before and there is still a curve there for them, but they’re as qualified as anybody could possibly be. I’m particular fond of these guys because they’ve been through our program and I know what they know. They’ll bring great order and structure to the next place they go.”