Vikings Announce Three Additions to Coaching Staff

The Minnesota Vikings announced Tuesday they hired Frank Smith as assistant head coach, Ryan Nielsen as defensive running game coordinator and Gerald Alexander as defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, while promoting Keith Carter to offensive line coach.

Frank Smith, 44, is a decorated offensive coach who most recently served as the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2025. He previously worked as the Los Angeles Chargers’ running game coordinator in 2021, tight ends coach for the Las Vegas Raiders from 2018 to 2020 and the Chicago Bears from 2015 to 2017, and assistant offensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2010 to 2014.

Ryan Nielsen, 46, is known for developing defensive linemen and is highly regarded around the league. He most recently spent the 2025 season as a senior defensive assistant with the Buffalo Bills after serving as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator in 2024 and the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2023. Nielsen also spent 2017 to 2022 with the Saints in a number of roles, including defensive line coach, assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator.

Gerald Alexander is a five-year NFL veteran and former safety who spent time with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets during his playing career. He recorded 159 tackles (121 solo), 14 passes broken up, four interceptions, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and two sacks in 39 career games.

The 41-year-old returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers this past season as defensive backs coach after previously serving as their assistant secondary coach from 2022 to 2023. He was also the Raiders’ safeties coach in 2024 and the Dolphins’ defensive backs coach from 2020 to 2021.

Keith Carter, 43, joined the Vikings last offseason as assistant offensive line coach and will be promoted to offensive line coach for the 2026 season after the team decided not to retain Chris Kuper, who had held the role since 2022.

Carter also served as the New York Jets’ offensive line coach and running game coordinator from 2023 to 2024, the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line coach from 2018 to 2022, and the Atlanta Falcons’ assistant offensive line coach and running backs coach from 2015 to 2017.

Changes are already underway in Minnesota following the firing of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah last week. With the Vikings planning to halt their GM search until after the draft, these hires are significant, as the coaching staff will have a strong influence throughout the selection process alongside head coach Kevin O’Connell and executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski.