After buzz that Pat Shurmar was joining the Vikings coaching staff – but in what role exactly, nobody knew – we now have his official title.
Shurmur will be the Vikings’ tight ends coach, the team announced Monday.
The 50-year-old is coming off of three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles as offensive coordinator. Prior to that he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, where from 2011-12 he led them to a 9-23 record, Pro Football Reference says.
He was offensive coordinator with the St. Louis Rams from 2009-10, and helped then-rookie Sam Bradford set first-year records for most completions and attempts.
He has a long history as a quarterbacks coach, as well as some time coaching tight ends and the offensive line.
He’ll be joining offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who is expected to stay with the team through next season, and the Viking’s new offensive line coach Tony Sparano – both former head coaches with offensive coordinator experience, reports note.
ESPN has said Shurmur probably wouldn’t have ended his job search after one interview if the Vikings hadn’t “pitched him a plan big enough to get home to put down roots in Minnesota.”
Running backs coach also picked
Meanwhile, the Vikings have also filled the one hole they had on their coaching staff.
Kevan Stefanski will take over as Minnesota’s running backs coach (replacing departed former coach Kirby Wilson, who is now with Cleveland).
Stefanski has been with the Vikings for a decade, and in 2015 entered his second season as the tight ends coach.
