Harrison Smith’s Long Tenure and Bond with Coach Kevin O’Connell
Harrison Smith, a stalwart in the Vikings’ secondary, has spent 13 seasons in the NFL, earning six Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro nod. He has been part of five playoff teams, with the closest being the 2017 season that saw the Vikings reach the NFC Championship Game.
As he approaches his 36th birthday, Smith has developed a unique bond with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who is close enough in age to meet with him weekly over coffee. Smith describes their relationship as “more peer-to-peer” due to their similar age and experience in the league. He has gotten to know O’Connell as a coach, player, and person.
O’Connell’s success with quarterback Sam Darnold is well-documented, but his relationships with key veterans like Smith have also been crucial to the team’s success. Smith’s ability to gauge the locker room and communicate with younger players has been invaluable to O’Connell, who says it’s not just about getting information, but rather the respect level between them makes their relationship a peer-to-peer one.