The Minnesota Vikings announced the hiring of Chili Davis as their Assistant Special Teams Coach for the 2026 NFL season, marking a significant step in his coaching career. Davis will work directly under Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels, becoming part of a 27-member coaching team led by head coach Kevin O’Connell. This appointment highlights the Vikings’ commitment to developing promising coaching talent while enhancing their special teams unit.
Davis’ Impactful Year at Florida A&M
Davis’ 2022 season at Florida A&M stands out as a pivotal moment in his career. Arriving as the Special Teams Coordinator, he immediately strengthened a talented HBCU team based in Tallahassee. Head coach Willie Simmons described Davis as the crucial “missing piece” for a unit that soon dominated the special teams phase.
Under Davis’ leadership, Florida A&M delivered a remarkable 9–2 overall record and 7–1 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. The Rattlers ended the season by defeating Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic, a highlight that underscored the team’s success. Throughout the season, Florida A&M’s special teams consistently improved field position and added valuable hidden yards that influenced game outcomes.
The unit’s statistics were impressive across the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS): they achieved three blocked kicks, ranking 30th nationally, converted 81% of their field goals (17-of-21), and featured multiple first-team all-conference as well as HBCU All-America players. This single season garnered strong national attention and established Davis as a rising coaching talent.
Progression Through Major College and NFL Roles
After the standout HBCU campaign, Davis transitioned to Kansas State in 2023 as a Special Teams Quality Control Coach, moving into a Power Four conference program. This step confirmed that his success at Florida A&M translated to higher competitive levels. The following year, Davis expanded his NFL experience with the Los Angeles Rams, serving as a special teams assistant under Sean McVay.
He then took a position at Maryland, initially as Assistant Special Teams Coordinator, later being promoted to Special Teams Coordinator. His time in Maryland was brief but instrumental before the Minnesota Vikings extended their offer, which he accepted to return to the NFL coaching ranks.
Davis’ Relationship with the Vikings and Coaching Development Programs
Kevin O’Connell noted that Davis participated in the Vikings’ diversity coaching summit as well as the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship, two programs aimed at providing exposure and opportunities for minority coaches.
He was their special teams coordinator at Maryland, but was part of our first diversity coaching summit and then also was part of the Bill Walsh Fellowship,
O’Connell said.
He has kind of slowly spent more and more time around us and staff — a really high-capacity young coach I’m excited about.
These initiatives helped build a foundation of familiarity and trust between Davis and the Vikings organization long before his official hiring, allowing them to closely evaluate his abilities and potential fit for their staff.
Broad Coaching Experience and Early Career Foundations
Davis’ coaching career spans over a decade and includes diverse roles. He began at his alma mater, Campbell University, where he played defensive back before moving into coaching. His resume includes coaching wide receivers at New Mexico State during a historic bowl season and serving as a special teams analyst at Washington. Across multiple positions, he has developed a broad skill set that complements his special teams expertise.
Despite this wide-ranging background, Davis’ season at FAMU remains a standout achievement, delivering tangible success, nationally recognized specialists, and a winning record that attracted attention from larger programs and the NFL alike.
Significance of the Hire for Minnesota and Beyond
The Minnesota Vikings’ selection of Chili Davis highlights their dedication to nurturing emerging coaching talent, particularly from HBCU programs and minority backgrounds. By integrating Davis into their staff, the Vikings not only enhance their special teams capabilities but also reinforce their commitment to inclusion and long-term coaching development.
For Davis, this opportunity serves as both a reward for years of steady growth and a platform to impact one of the NFL’s prominent teams. His rise from Florida A&M to Minnesota illustrates how success in HBCU football can translate into significant roles at the highest levels of the sport. The hiring signals promising prospects for Davis and embodies the ongoing evolution of coaching pipelines across college and professional football.
The Minneapolis Vikings are hiring Chili Davis as Assistant Special Teams Coach
☆ Former Special Teams Coordinator at Florida A&M pic.twitter.com/rkVJtWjPmZ— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) February 24, 2026
