Ex-MSU OL Pat Shurmur Takes Over As Vikings Offensive Coordinator

The Minnesota Vikings started off the 2016 season on a strong note, becoming the only undefeated NFL team at 5-0 after only one month.

Ex-MSU OL Pat Shurmur Takes Over As Vikings Offensive Coordinator

This accomplishment was particularly noteworthy given that the franchise had lost both its starting quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, and its veteran running back, Adrian Peterson, to injuries early in the season.

Then, the Viking lost two consecutive games (to the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears), and offensive coordinator Norv Turner, head coach Mike Zimmer’s trusted right-hand man, resigned in an extremely surprising move.

In a conference call with Detroit reporters, Zimmer quietly addressed Turner’s departure, and expressed shock at his assistant coach’s decision.

“It was (for) personal reasons,” Zimmer said, “and I’ll keep them between me and him.”

Shurmur, 51, also admitted to being surprised by Turner’s abrupt resignation.

“I was in the office kind of doing my work,” Shurmur said, via Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “Like everybody, I was surprised by Norv’s decision yesterday.

“Norv told us he was going to step aside. And then Coach Zim came down and asked if I would move forward and help get a plan together and call the plays as we move forward.”

Shurmur, a Michigan State and Dearborn Divine Child product, was promoted from tight ends coach to interim offensive coordinator. He will need to help guide a Vikings offense that struggled to put up points in the past two weeks and were outscore a combined 41-20. Minnesota (5-2) next hosts NFC North rival Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The Vikings’ run game currently averages a paltry 2.7 yards per carry. In encouraging news for the team, lead running back Jerick McKinnon, who missed Monday night’s game at Chicago with a sprained ankle, practiced Wednesday and told the St. Paul Pioneer Press he plans to play Sunday.

“I don’t think you totally change what we’re doing offensively,” Shurmur said. “I think there are certain things that may look different. You’ll have to tell me after the game. But I think what we need to do is coach better, play better and if everybody on the field and everybody involved in the offense makes one less mistake then we give ourselves the best chance to win.”

Minnesota’s defense could also improve, however. The team relinquished its top ranking to Arizona after Monday’s loss to Chicago. It’s No. 2 now and still ranks in the top 10 of most categories — including No. 1 in scoring, allowing just 14.9 points per game.

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 4: Head coach Pat Shurmur of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a referee’s call during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 4, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)