Vikings Coaching Staff | Minnesota Vikings - vikings.com

Sam Siefkes (pronounced seef-kiss) enters his second season with the Vikings as an assistant linebackers coach after working as a defensive quality control coach in 2021. He assisted the day-to-day operations for the defensive staff and worked with the linebacker unit in 2021. Siefkes previously served as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Wofford College (2018-20).

In 2021, Siefkes helped oversee a linebackers unit led by LB Eric Kendricks, who finished the season with 143 tackles, 5.0 sacks and two interceptions. With LB Anthony Barr missing several games in 2021, Siefkes assisted with LB Nick Vigil's role, overseeing his 12 starts, in which he tallied 85 tackles and a pick-six. 

Siefkes spent his third year at Wofford preparing the defense for its Spring 2021 slate as the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sam Siefkes (pronounced seef-kiss) enters his second season with the Vikings as an assistant linebackers coach after working as a defensive quality control coach in 2021. He assisted the day-to-day operations for the defensive staff and worked with the linebacker unit in 2021. Siefkes previously served as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Wofford College (2018-20).

In 2021, Siefkes helped oversee a linebackers unit led by LB Eric Kendricks, who finished the season with 143 tackles, 5.0 sacks and two interceptions. With LB Anthony Barr missing several games in 2021, Siefkes assisted with LB Nick Vigil's role, overseeing his 12 starts, in which he tallied 85 tackles and a pick-six. 

Siefkes spent his third year at Wofford preparing the defense for its Spring 2021 slate as the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During the 2019 season, the Terriers defense was ranked 20th in the nation in total defense as the team won the Southern Conference Championship for the third straight season and competed in the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Among Southern Conference schools, the defense ranked first in total defense, first in rushing defense and second in scoring defense. 

In his first season at Wofford, Siefkes' defense was ranked first in the Southern Conference in total defense, scoring defense, passing defense and rushing defense. Nationally, the squad was 12th in total defense and eighth in scoring defense. The team posted a 9-4 overall record and won the Southern Conference Championship. In the NCAA FCS Playoffs, the Terriers advanced to the second round. 

Prior to Wofford, Siefkes spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at UW-Platteville. The defense allowed only 18.9 points per game and posted three shutouts in 2017, and he helped lead UW-Platteville to an 8-3 record and a playoff appearance in 2016. 

In 2015, Siefkes served as a graduate assistant defensive coach for the Wisconsin Badgers. While with the Badgers, he worked directly with former defensive coordinator and current Baylor head coach Dave Aranda and the defensive line during practice and team meetings.  

Siefkes also worked at Florida International University in 2014 and his alma mater, Wisconsin-La Crosse, from 2012-14. Siefkes coached defensive backs, linebackers, and specialists while with UW-LaCrosse.

In addition to coaching, Siefkes has experience in strength and conditioning with the Air Force Academy. He received a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Master's of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (Intercollegiate Athletic Administration) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He and his wife, Carrissa, were married in July of 2020.