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Vikings expected to hire former Broncos DC Ed Donatell as defensive coordinator

Published: Feb 10, 2022 at 02:14 PM

Kevin Patra

Senior News Writer

The Minnesota Vikings are filling out the coaching staff as the future head coach prepares for the Super Bowl.

The Vikings are expected to hire Ed Donatell as defensive coordinator, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday.

Donatell joins Kevin O'Connell's staff after spending the past three seasons as the Denver Broncos DC under Vic Fangio. The 65-year-old Donatell spent the past 11 seasons following Fangio around the NFL in San Francisco, Chicago and Denver.

O'Connell adding a Fangio disciple makes sense after working on a Rams staff under Sean McVay that successfully plucked Brandon Staley off Fangio's tree two years ago.

Donatell had been expected to join Pete Carroll as an assistant in Seattle but instead will lead a Vikings defense in drastic need of an upgrade.

After the Vikings spent the past eight seasons in the Mike Zimmer system, Donatell's hire represents the further proliferation of the Fangio scheme taking over the NFL.

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