Vikings make a trio of coaching decisions official

News originally came that longtime NFL coach Rick Dennison was out as a coach after refusing to get the vaccine. However, Dennison simply ended up in a different role: he will be a senior offensive advisor for the team.

That still leaves a couple open coaching staff positions, both of which have been filled. As was reported previously, Phil Rauscher was hired as the offensive line coach. Rauscher was the assistant offensive line coach before getting promoted.

Ben Steele fills Rauscher’s old job as the team’s assistant offensive line coach. Steele was hired as a special teams analyst at Auburn recently.

The vaccine is a requirement for Tier 1 staff such as coaches, front-office executives, equipment managers and scouts. It is not required for the players. A team employee not having Tier 1 status prevents them from participating in activities like being on the field, in meeting rooms and having direct interactions with players, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.

The Vikings cited NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols to move Dennison to this position.