Vikings' Pat Shurmur wins Assistant Coach of the Year
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings speaks with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (KMSP) - As the Vikings prepare for the NFC Championship, one of the team's assistant coaches has earned special recognition for his impact on the team this season.
The Professional Football Writers of America named Vikings Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur the 2017 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
The PFWA pointed to Shurmur's hand in improving the offense as the team finished 11th in the NFL in yards per game and recorded 68 plays of 20 or more yards.
Shurmur effectively adapted the offense after the Vikings lost starting quarterback Sam Bradford and rookie running back Dalvin Cook to injury.
Shurmur is the second Vikings assistant to win the award since it started in 1993. Brian Billick won the award in 1998.
Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams won Coach of the Year and Howie Roseman of the Philadelphia Eagles won Executive of the Year.