Who's on the hottest of seats? It's time for some Minnesota sports job security rankings
A look at whether Rocco Baldelli, Chris Finch, John Hynes and Kevin O'Connell should be looking to buy, sell or rent property in Minnesota.
The Timberwolves are coming off an epic meltdown in Milwaukee, the Twins’ putrid start has done nothing to erase the memory of last season’s collapse and the Wild’s hot start is now a distant memory as they attempt to hold onto the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Seems like a good time to rank the security of the men in charge of those three teams. We’ll throw the Vikings in as well.
FEEL FREE TO BUY
Kevin O’Connell: The Vikings coach has led his team to double-digit victory totals in two of his first three seasons and signed a multi-year contract extension after leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record with Sam Darnold at quarterback in 2024.
The last two games weren’t pretty — the Vikings lost their regular-season finale in Detroit and were hammered by the Rams in the first round of the playoffs — but O’Connell earned Associated Press NFL coach of the year honors.
His work with quarterbacks, including Kirk Cousins and Darnold, has impressed many around the NFL, and he will have his third starter in three years in 2025 as first-round pick J.J. McCarthy takes over. O’Connell might be 0-2 in the playoffs but the 39-year-old has the most security in town when it comes to these four teams.
GO AHEAD AND SIGN ANOTHER LEASE
John Hynes: The Wild got off to a fantastic start in Hynes’ first full season as coach and were atop the NHL in points into December. Coming off a season in which the Wild had failed to qualify for the postseason and were expected by many to again miss the playoffs, Hynes earned praise for his work.
But injuries and inconsistency have been a problem in the second half of the schedule. Superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov has played in only three games since Christmas, and top center Joel Eriksson Ek also has missed extensive time because of a lower-body injury.
The Wild, who are expected to get Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek back Wednesday night against San Jose, are now in the second and final wild card spot in the Western Conference. But given what the Wild have been through this season, Hynes’ job status appears to be safe.