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Where the weather is cold and the NFL football is hot, there’s no shortage of major actors who have ties to San Diego.
Several transplanted locals have been shining in the NFC North, which stands as the NFL’s best and most entertaining division.
First on the list of transplants to keep in mind as the Super Bowl race heats up: a former San Diego State quarterback who wore flip-flops to Aztecs news conferences and now raises the hopes of snow-shoveling, ice-fishing Minnesotans.
Just 39, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell belongs on any list of candidates for the NFL’s coach of the year. If the Vikings (13-2) beat the Packers (11-4) Sunday at Minneapolis and the Lions (13-2) in the season finale in Detroit, they’ll get the NFC top seed and a first-round playoff bye.
Quarterback Sam Darnold continues to play well in his first year under O’Connell. The seventh-year pro threw perhaps the best clutch pass of his career last Sunday to drive a 27-24 victory at noisy Seattle.
O’Connell brought impressive experience to the job, having played under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady with the Patriots, coached under Sean McVay with the Super Bowl champion Rams and coached under renowned offensive-line coach Bill Callahan.
Yet it’s hard to believe anyone foresaw so much success so fast.
O’Connell reached 30 victories quicker than any Vikings coach, including Hall of Famer Bud Grant.
In games decided by seven points or fewer, the Vikings stand 25-9 (.735) in the three years and 8-1 (.888) this season.
All told, the coach’s .673 win rate trails only those of Andy Reid, Nick Sirianni, Sean McDermott and Dan Campbell.
The hole in O’Connell’ track record? No playoff victories.
Whatever happens in the playoffs next month, the folks who head the alumni clubs at SDSU and La Costa Canyon High School should move O’Connell up the donation-request list.
He’ll command a large raise from Vikings ownership or someone else.
Better be great
The Lions employ three coaches on their offensive staff who played or coached at the University of San Diego in passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, line coach Hank Fraley and assistant line coach Steve Oliver.
Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden entered the NFL as a Bobby Beathard draftee and caught passes from Jim Harbaugh and Ryan Leaf with three San Diego Chargers teams.
The challenge ahead appears extreme for the quartet of San Diegans and the offensive players they coach.
Detroit’s offense may need to be close to perfect for the club to seize the top seed, return to the NFC title game or reach its first Super Bowl.
Injuries have pounded Detroit’s defense, stripping it of no fewer than five above-average starters headed by end Aidan Hutchinson.
Two weeks ago, scoring 42 points wasn’t enough for the Lions to beat the Bills in Detroit.
Rebounding, the Lions beat the Bears 34-17.
The Lions have a great offense. It stands first in points scored, first downs and points per drive, second in passing touchdowns and fourth in rushing yards. The previous two years, they ended up fifth in points.
The coaches will have to adjust to not having powerful running back David Montgomery, sidelined by a knee injury until the playoffs. The ground game, led by the USD-alum-tutored line and explosive back Jahmyr Gibbs, went for 146 rushing yards last week in its first full game since Montgomery went down.
A Rodgers redux?
Honorary San Diegan status goes to Jordan Love, the Packers’ quarterback. Love worked out under San Diego trainer Todd Durkin this past offseason after life circumstances brought the QB to San Diego. (His fiancee, Ronika Stone, plays for the San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation).
Aaron Rodgers wintered in San Diego for several years, including before and after he led the 2010 Packers to the only Super Bowl game and victory of his career.
Love, who sat behind Rodgers for three years with Green Bay, would welcome a similar result.
This year in his second season as the starter, Love sustained injuries that hindered him. Lately, he’s looked more mobile and stronger. In the past five games, Love has thrown eight touchdowns and no interceptions, leading Green Bay to four wins.
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