Amidst the Cleveland Browns' hunt for a new head coach, one of their former HC has made a big career decision.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has announced that the team's current assistant head coach, Mike Pettine, is retiring.

"What a career he has had," O'Connell said. "Specifically for me, his impact on my football journey, both my time when I was around him as a player to him giving me the first opportunity to coach in this league, and then being a major part of a lot of our success over the four years we've had (in Minnesota). Want to take the moment to make sure we celebrate him and the great career it's been."

Mike Pettine was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2014 to 2015. He was the 15th full‑time head coach in franchise history since the team returned to the NFL. Though his record with the team was not so great.

Over those two seasons, Pettine’s Browns recorded a 10-22 regular‑season record (7-9 in 2014 and 3-13 in 2015). Though he had more success with the Vikings after O'Connell hired him when he took the helm in Minnesota in 2022.

The former Browns HC was the Vikings' outside linebackers coach in 2024 after stepping in to coach the position during the 2023 campaign. Under him, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel each earned their first career Pro Bowl selections.

Greenard, with 12 sacks, and Van Ginkel, with 11.5 sacks, ranked tied for fifth and tied for eighth in the league, respectively.

They were also the only pair of players in the NFL to record at least 11.5 sacks each during the season.

Mike Pettine's career

Mike Pettine starred at Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where he earned all‑state honors as both a quarterback and defensive back. After high school, Pettine played free safety at the University of Virginia.

He was a two‑year letterman at free safety (mid‑1980s) and led the team in interceptions in 1986, including tying the school’s single‑game record with three interceptions in one contest against North Carolina State.

Pettine started his coaching career with the Ravens (2002-2008), then served as the defensive coordinator for the Jets from 2009-2012. Mike Pettine was also the DC of the Bills in 2013, a year before he became the head coach of the Browns.

After the Browns, Pettine was a Seahawks consultant (2017), Packers defensive coordinator (2018–2020), and Bears defensive assistant (2021). He then joined the Vikings before putting an end to his great career.

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu