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
PFWA NFL COACH OF THE YEAR: 1966 – Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys; 1967 AFL – John Rauch, Oakland Raiders; 1967 NFL – Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers; 1968 AFL – Weeb Ewbank, New York Jets; 1968 NFL – Don Shula, Baltimore Colts; 1969 AFL – John Madden, Oakland Raiders; 1969 NFL – Bud Grant, Minnesota Vikings; 1970 AFC – Paul Brown, Cincinnati Bengals; 1970 NFC – Dick Nolan, San Francisco 49ers; 1971 AFC – Don Shula, Miami Dolphins; 1971 NFC – George Allen, Washington Redskins; 1972 AFC – Don Shula, Miami Dolphins; 1972 NFC – Dan Devine, Green Bay Packers; 1973 AFC – John Ralston, Denver Broncos; 1973 NFC – Chuck Knox, Los Angeles Rams; 1974 AFC – Sid Gilman, Houston Oilers; 1974 NFC – Don Coryell, St. Louis Cardinals; 1975 AFC – Ted Marchibroda, Baltimore Colts; 1975 NFC – Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys; 1976 AFC – Chuck Fairbanks, New England Patriots; 1976 NFC – Jack Pardee, Chicago Bears; 1977 AFC – Red Miller, Denver Broncos; 1977 NFC – Leeman Bennett, Atlanta Falcons; 1978 AFC – Walt Michaels, New York Jets; 1978 NFC – Dick Vermeil, Philadelphia Eagles; 1979 AFC – Don Coryell, San Diego Chargers; 1979 NFC – Dick Vermeil, Philadelphia Eagles; 1980 AFC – Chuck Knox, Buffalo Bills; 1980 NFC – Leeman Bennett, Atlanta Falcons; 1981 AFC – Forrest Gregg, Cincinnati Bengals; 1981 NFC – Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers; 1982 AFC – Tom Flores, Los Angeles Raiders; 1982 NFC – Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins; 1983 AFC – Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh Steelers; 1983 NFC – Joe Gibbs, Washington Redskins; 1984 AFC – Chuck Knox, Seattle Seahawks; 1984 NFC – Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers; 1985 AFC – Raymond Berry, New England Patriots; 1985 NFC – Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears; 1986 AFC – Marty Schottenheimer, Cleveland Browns; 1986 NFC – Bill Parcells, New York Giants; 1987 AFC – Ron Meyer, New England Patriots; 1987 NFC – Jim Mora, New Orleans Saints; 1988 AFC – Sam Wyche, Cincinnati Bengals; 1988 NFC – Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears; 1989 AFC – Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh Steelers; 1989 NFC – Lindy Infante, Green Bay Packers; 1990 – Art Shell, Los Angeles Raiders; 1991 – Wayne Fontes, Detroit Lions; 1992 – Bobby Ross, San Diego Chargers; 1993 – Dan Reeves, New York Giants; 1994 – Bill Parcells, New England Patriots; 1995 – Dom Capers, Carolina Panthers; 1996 – Dom Capers, Carolina Panthers; 1997 – Jim Fassel, New York Giants; 1998 – Dan Reeves, Atlanta Falcons; 1999 – Dick Vermeil, St. Louis Rams; 2000 – Jim Haslett, New Orleans Saints; 2001 – Dick Jauron, Chicago Bears; 2002 – Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles; 2003 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots; 2004 – Marty Schottenheimer, San Diego Chargers; 2005 – Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears; 2006 – Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints; 2007 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots; 2008 – Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins; 2009 – Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals; 2010 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots; 2011 – Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers; 2012 – Bruce Arians, Indianapolis Colts; 2013 – Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers; 2014 – Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals; 2015 – Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers; 2016 – Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys; 2017 – Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams; 2018 – Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears; 2019 – John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens; 2020 – Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns; 2021 – Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans; 2022 – Brian Daboll, New York Giants; 2023 – DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans; 2024 – Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings.
PFWA EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR: 1993 – George Young, New York Giants; 1994 – Carmen Policy, San Francisco 49ers; 1995 – Bill Polian, Carolina Panthers; 1996 – Bill Polian, Carolina Panthers; 1997 – George Young, New York Giants; 1998 – Front Office, Minnesota Vikings; 1999 – Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts; 2000 – Randy Mueller, New Orleans Saints; 2001 – Charley Armey, St. Louis Rams; 2002 – Al Davis, Oakland Raiders; 2003 – Scott Pioli, New England Patriots; 2004 – A.J. Smith, San Diego Chargers; 2005 – Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts; 2006 – Mickey Loomis, New Orleans Saints; 2007 – Scott Pioli, New England Patriots; 2008 – Bill Parcells, Miami Dolphins; 2009 – Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts; 2010 – Scott Pioli, Kansas City Chiefs; 2011 – Trent Baalke, San Francisco 49ers; 2012 – Ryan Grigson, Indianapolis Colts; 2013 – John Dorsey, Kansas City Chiefs; 2014 – Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys; 2015 – Mike Maccagnan, New York Jets; 2016 – Reggie McKenzie, Oakland Raiders; 2017 – Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles; 2018 – Chris Ballard, Indianapolis Colts; 2019 – John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers; 2020 – Brandon Beane, Buffalo Bills; 2021 – Bill Belichick, New England Patriots; 2022 – Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles; 2023 – Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions; 2024 – Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions.
PFWA ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: 1993 – Ray Rhodes, Green Bay Packers; 1994 – Dom Capers, Pittsburgh Steelers; 1995 – Pete Carroll, San Francisco 49ers; 1996 – Dave Campo, Dallas Cowboys; 1997 – John Fox, New York Giants; 1998 – Brian Billick, Minnesota Vikings; 1999 – Dom Capers, Jacksonville Jaguars; 2000 – Marvin Lewis, Baltimore Ravens; 2001 – Mike Mularkey, Pittsburgh Steelers; 2002 – Monte Kiffin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 2003 – Romeo Crennel, New England Patriots; 2004 – Dick LeBeau, Pittsburgh Steelers; 2005 – Ron Rivera, Chicago Bears; 2006 – Rex Ryan, Baltimore Ravens; 2007 – Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys; 2008 – Dick LeBeau, Pittsburgh Steelers; 2009 – Mike Zimmer, Cincinnati Bengals; 2010 – Marty Mornhinweg, Philadelphia Eagles; 2011 – Wade Phillips, Houston Texans; 2012 – Bruce Arians, Indianapolis Colts; 2013 – Ken Whisenhunt, San Diego Chargers; 2014 – Todd Bowles, Arizona Cardinals; 2015 – (tie) Hue Jackson, Cincinnati Bengals and Wade Phillips, Denver Broncos; 2016 – Kyle Shanahan, Atlanta Falcons; 2017– Pat Shurmur, Minnesota Vikings; 2018– Vic Fangio, Chicago Bears; 2019 – Greg Roman, Baltimore Ravens; 2020 – Brian Daboll, Buffalo Bills; 2021 – Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys; 2022 – DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers; 2023 – Mike Macdonald, Baltimore Ravens; 2024 – Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions.
