Pat Shurmur will be Vikings tight ends coach

Posted by Josh Alper on January 25, 2016, 3:21 PM EST
AP

When news that the Vikings hired Pat Shurmur as an assistant broke last week, the only thing missing was the job that he’d be doing in Minnesota.

The Vikings provided the answer to that question on Monday. They announced that Shurmur will be the team’s tight ends coach. The incumbent tight ends coach Kevin Stefanski will move to the opening at running backs coach created when Kirby Wilson took a job with the Browns.

Shurmur has some experience coaching tight ends with the Eagles early in his career and has multiple offensive coordinator stints to go with his time as the Browns head coach (and much briefer time as the Eagles interim coach this season). The latter set of titles means that the title may have been a case of finding a spot for an experienced coach that Mike Zimmer wanted on his staff.

Shurmur is one of two former head coaches to join the Vikings staff this offseason with former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano taking on offensive line duties. With offensive coordinator Norv Turner, it’s three overall on the offensive staff.

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27 responses to “Pat Shurmur will be Vikings tight ends coach”

  1. “Shurmur is one of two former head coaches to join the Vikings staff this offseason with former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano taking on offensive line duties.”

    ————————————————————–

    Collect them all!

  4. Sporano, Shurmur, and Turner. How many seond year HCs would have the guts to hire 3 ex-HCs?

    Many thanks to the rest of the NFL for passing on Mike Zimmer.

  5. Oh, one more thing: “They announced that Shurmur will be the team’s tight ends coach. ” They forgot to add “for now”.

  6. There’s more to this than meets the eye. I think Shurmur will have more input into the offense than a typical tight ends coach would have. Shurmur, Turner, and Sparano all have experience as offensive coordinators and head coaches, and I expect they will all put their heads together to come up with the best kind of offense for the talent the team has. Norv was a bit of a one-trick pony with his 7-step drops last year, so Zimmer was clearly looking for a bit more innovation. Should be interesting.

  8. It’s 3 former head coaches if we count Zimmer’s firing in 2 years.

    How are Muffin and Teddy doing?

  11. Looks as if the Vikings are getting plan B ready at OC. The offense regressed last season with AP needing to reach his quota for touches. If they don’t improve Turner will get the boot.

  12. This is the most disappointing thing I have ever read. Norv is still the OC. Horrible decision to keep him and the run, run, pass, punt offense around.

  13. shaggytoodle says:
    Jan 25, 2016 4:02 PM
    If they don’t improve Turner will get the boot.

    ————————-

    I don’t think many Viking fans would be too upset with this. I don’t think the Vikings should settle at OC, until they find one that can coach the offense like Zimmer coaches the defense.

  15. Very surprised by this announcement. I was sure he would take Norv’s spot. Still makes me wonder why he would take a TE spot when other teams reportedly were going to offer OC position.

    My expectations of the offense has gone up. If those 3 former HC’s can’t come up with an improved offense next year then fire them all. Norv is the “throw it deep” coach, Shurmur is the “west coast dink and dunk” guy and Sparano is the “run it down your throat” guy. They have all styles covered, now lets hope that equates to an unpredictable offense and one that isn’t handcuffed by having to get AP “his” carries.

  17. Well, if they want more offensive output, they’re going to need to rebuild that OL first. The real test will be seeing better results next year.

    I look for a big year in 2016 from MyCole Pruitt, maybe to the point of him surpassing Kyle Rudolph as Bridgewater’s favorite TE target. If Shurmur can help do that, this will go down as a smart move.

  18. tjacks7 says:
    Jan 25, 2016 4:12 PM

    This is the most disappointing thing I have ever read. Norv is still the OC. Horrible decision to keep him and the run, run, pass, punt offense around.
    __________

    I don’t think you have to worry too much about that. Zimmer clearly was not happy with the way the offense was set up this year. I think Norv is going to get the message, and if he doesn’t, someone else will be calling the plays in short order.

  20. 440Barracuda says:
    Jan 25, 2016 4:19 PM

    I don’t think many Viking fans would be too upset with this. I don’t think the Vikings should settle at OC, until they find one that can coach the offense like Zimmer coaches the defense.
    ____________

    Why is it all Turners fault? Theodore had a good rookie campaign…. then AP comes back has fits when he doesn’t get the ball enough, and the offense seemed to regress.

    I think Pampered Peterson with his attitude has hurt Theodores progress, the best year the Vikings had with AP was when the offense wasn’t relying on him too carry them, because they had a QB they trusted to make plays.

  22. Good hire. The Vikes need a bigger presence from the TE position in correlation to pass/catch.
    Meanwhile, I read on NFL.com that McCarthy is not only tired of Fat Eddie but, tired of TT.
    Schism.

  23. In Teddy We Trust says:

    I don’t think you have to worry too much about that. Zimmer clearly was not happy with the way the offense was set up this year. I think Norv is going to get the message, and if he doesn’t, someone else will be calling the plays in short order.

    —-

    Agreed, obviously Zimmer sold him on something more than the TE coach job when he had multiple OC interviews scheduled.

    But, why delay what seems to be inevitable (Norv being fired or relieved of his play calling duties)? Might as well do it now instead of during the season or next season.

    Either way the future of this team doesn’t include Norv or AP – I was hoping this would be the offseason they were both gone.

  25. Too many chiefs- I’d be concerned about clashing egos and the ability of 3 recent former head coaches (working on the same side of the ball) to get along without overstepping their responsibilities- especially if Turner feels like one of these guys will be his successor. This is probably Norv’s last job.

  26. From head coach to coordinator to tight ends coach in three successive jobs.

    Next stop: Laundry manager.

  27. Seems many people are worried about egos and the too many cooks idea. These are valid concerns. I’m a bit worried myself, but I just have a lot of confidence in Zimmer. The guy seems to know what he’s doing very well. He will establish himself as the boss and make sure everyone follows his lead. He realizes the team needs to continue progressing with the opening of the new stadium next year. He’s got this!

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