Minnesota Vikings hire former Kentucky assistant as linebacker coach

The Minnesota Vikings have finalized a deal with an NFL veteran defensive coach. Former NFL linebacker Greg Manusky is being hired as their new inside linebackers coach, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network. Over the past twenty years, he’s spent time with several NFL teams across the league, including the Washington Commanders, LA Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and the Indianapolis Colts. During that time, he’s also been a defensive coordinator for the Commanders, Colts, Chargers, and 49ers.

He also spent time as a defensive quality control assistant with the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2020-2021 season. As a player, Manusky played his college football for Colgate. He was named first-team All-Patriot League in 1986 and 1987. The former linebacker was also named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in 1987. In his playing career in the National Football League, he played for the Washington Commanders (1988-1990), Minnesota Vikings (1991-1993), and the Kansas City Chiefs (1994-1999).

The Vikings have been rebuilding their coaching staff

The Minnesota Vikings have been completely rebuilding their coaching staff after they fired Mike Zimmer and their General Manager, Rick Spielman on Jan. 10. In Zimmer’s place, they brought in former LA Rams assistant Kevin O’Connell.

Now that O’Connell is in place, the attention has shifted to whether or not the Vikings will stick with Kirk Cousins at quarterback next season.

Next season is the final year of Cousins’ current contract with the Vikings. He is set to earn a $35 million base salary, and will hold a $45 million cap hit. Cousins is due to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2022 season.

In O’Connell’s introductory press conference, he said that Cousins is currently part of his plans for the Vikings offense.

“Well I know he’s under contract and I’m excited to coach him,” O’Connell said when asked if he can say if Cousins will be the Vikings quarterback next season. “We’ve already started thinking about how we’re going to build those systems for him and our other quarterbacks and really the tremendous skill group we have, the guys up front. It takes all 11 to move the football on offense, to run it, to throw it, to score points in the red zone.”

In addition to O’Connell, the Vikings have brought in their coordinators as well. Wes Phillips, Ed Donatell, and Matt Daniels all recently introduced themselves in a press conference. Phillips will be their new offensive coordinator, Donatell will be their defensive coordinator, and Daniels will be their new special teams coordinator.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner also contributed to this story.