Jaguars Hire Grant Udinski As Offensive Coordinator, Leaving Vikings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Six years ago, Grant Udinski was living out of his car in a Walmart parking lot, just hoping to catch a break in coaching. Now, at only 29, he’s the new offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Udinski has been grinding for years, climbing the coaching ladder with pure grit and determination. He spent the last season as the assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings, where he helped revive quarterback Sam Darnold’s career. Under Udinski’s guidance, Darnold had the best season of his life—throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the Vikings to a 14-2 record.

Now, Udinski is taking his talents to Jacksonville, where he’ll be part of new head coach Liam Coen’s staff. Even though Coen will handle play-calling duties, Udinski’s role in shaping the offense is expected to be huge.

“Grant is one of the brightest young coaches in the game,” Coen said in a statement. “He brings incredible energy, knowledge, and a winning mentality. He played a major role in the Vikings’ success, and we’re excited for him to help lead our offense.”

Source: Grant Udinski, 29, leaving Vikings to be new OC of Jaguars

The Struggle Before the Success

Udinski’s story isn’t just about football—it’s about persistence and betting on yourself.

After playing tight end at Davidson and defensive end at Towson, Udinski knew his playing career wasn’t going to take him to the NFL. But coaching? That was his dream.

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He got his first coaching opportunity in 2019 as a graduate assistant at Baylor under head coach Matt Rhule. But there was a problem—he had no money and no place to stay. So, for the first week, he slept in his car in a Walmart parking lot in Waco, Texas, figuring things out as he went.

It wasn’t until Phil Snow, Baylor’s defensive coordinator, found out and invited him to move in that things started to look up. That small act of kindness gave Udinski a stable place to live, allowing him to focus on football.

A year later, when Rhule became the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, he brought Udinski with him as a coaching assistant. It was Udinski’s first shot in the NFL, and he made the most of it.

But in the NFL, nothing is guaranteed. When Rhule was fired in 2022, Udinski had to find his next move. Enter Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings, who brought him in as an assistant to the head coach and special projects coordinator.

Udinski quickly earned O’Connell’s trust and got promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach in 2023. By 2024, he was elevated to assistant offensive coordinator while continuing to work with quarterbacks—a role in which he helped Darnold turn his career around.

That rapid rise didn’t go unnoticed, and now, at just 29, he’s stepping into a leadership role in Jacksonville.

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Jaguars Hire Grant Udinski as Offensive Coordinator, Leaving Vikings

What Udinski Brings to the Jaguars

The Jaguars are hoping Udinski can help turn things around on offense. Last season, they struggled with consistency, and they’re bringing him in to inject new ideas and creativity.

While Coen will be calling the plays, Udinski will be instrumental in developing quarterbacks, designing game plans, and shaping the overall offensive philosophy. If his success with Darnold is any indication, Jacksonville’s offense could be in for a big step forward.

At just 29, Udinski is already being talked about as one of the top young coaches in the league. If he continues on this trajectory, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him as a head coach in the near future.

The Future Looks Bright

Udinski’s journey is the kind of story that makes people believe in the power of hard work. From sleeping in a car to leading an NFL offense, he’s proved that betting on yourself can pay off in ways you’d never imagine.

Now, his next chapter begins in Jacksonville. If his past success is anything to go by, the Jaguars might have just made one of the smartest hires in football.