The Minnesota Vikings have fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell after one season on the job.
The Vikings defense was one of the worst in the NFL under Donatell’s tutelage. Minnesota ranked 28th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed last season.
"Today I informed Ed Donatell we will be going in a different direction at defensive coordinator in 2023,” Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement. “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.”
Donatell came over to O’Connell’s staff after spending three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos.
A replacement has not been named. O’Connell said the team will begin the search for a new defensive coordinator “immediately.”
Despite winning 13 games and the NFC North for the first time since 2017, Donatell and the Vikings’ defense faced heavy scrutiny over the second half of the season for the overall defensive scheme and lack of adjustments. After the Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions, O'Connell said publicly that he was considering all options to improve the defense, but not looking to make a change to his staff.
That shifted Thursday with Donatell’s dismissal. No other changes to Minnesota’s defensive coaching staff have been announced.