EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings have hired a new tight ends coach, the team announced Monday.
Brian Pariani is joining the ranks of Minnesota's offensive staff, bringing with him nearly 30 years of NFL coaching experience. He was hired along with Vikings Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Advisor Gary Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak.
Pariani most recently coached tight ends for the Broncos for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Here are five things to know about the Vikings new tight ends coach:
1. Previous experience
Pariani also served as a tight ends coach for the Broncos from 1995-2004, for the Texans (2006-13) and for the Ravens (2014). In 2005, Pariani entered the collegiate world as Syracuse's offensive coordinator for one season.
Pariani got his start in the NFL as a scout for the 49ers in 1990 before serving as an offensive assistant in San Francisco from 1991-94.
2. Connected to Kubiak
Pariani has a longstanding connection with Gary Kubiak, whom the **Vikings announced as their new assistant head coach/offensive advisor** Monday.
In fact, the two worked together for all but one season (2005) from 1994, when they each were a part of the 49ers offensive coaching staff, through 2016.
3. Pursuing a fifth Lombardi trophy
Pariani has four Super Bowl rings – three with an AFC team and one with an NFC team.
In his final season in San Francisco, the 49ers defeated the Chargers 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX.
Pariani was with the Broncos when they won back-to-back Lombardi Trophies over the Packers (XXXII) and Falcons (XXXIII). He returned to Denver in 2015, and the Broncos went on to defeat the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
4. Notable names
Pariani has coached some notable tight ends, including Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, who was drafted by Denver in 1990.
In the 10 seasons Sharpe played under Pariani, he received six Pro Bowl nods (five consecutive) and was named All-Pro four times (1996-98 and 2001). He also had two 10-touchdown seasons with Pariani.
Pariani coached two-time Pro Bowler Owen Daniels for the duration of his 10-season career: in Houston (2006-13), Baltimore (2014) and again in 2015 when Daniels signed with Denver. Under Pariani's tutelage, Daniels accrued 479 catches for 5,661 yards (11.8 per catch) and 36 touchdowns.
5. Changing it up
When the Broncos made coaching staff changes following the 2016 season, Pariani became a coach at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy, which helps train young athletes on and off the field.
Pariani served as an advisor for the Sports VTS QBSim Lab, the virtual reality training system for quarterbacks. His role included traveling for an international academy series to train athletes.
Other former NFL coaches who are part of the academy include Hall of Famer Rod Woodson, former Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte and former NFL quarterback and coach Sam Wyche, among others.
