New Minnesota Vikings defensive assistant Charlie Frye speaks to his FAU team
Credit: Jeff Romance / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Minnesota Vikings have been rather lucky during this year’s coaching carousel. Only one assistant has been poached from their 14-3 team so far, as Grant Udinski took the Jaguars’ OC job. All signs point to Kevin O’Connell running it back with last season’s crew. However, that doesn’t mean he will stop adding pieces.
To start, the Vikings made the hire of Jordan Traylor official on Tuesday. Traylor is taking over as the assistant offensive coordinator/assistant QBs coach after Udinski’s departure. Minnesota also made a peculiar addition to the defensive coaching staff.
Minnesota Vikings bring in Charlie Frye
In a rare move, the Vikings have decided to hire a quarterback to the defensive coaching staff. Former NFL QB Charlie Frye signed on as a defensive assistant on Tuesday. It’s the first defensive coaching position of his career.
The #Vikings have hired Jordan Traylor (assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach) and Charlie Frye (defensive assistant) to the 2025 coaching staff.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 18, 2025
Frye does have offensive coaching experience. He’s spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator and QBs coach at Florida Atlantic University. Under his tutelage, the Owls averaged less yards per game but did have an improved completion percentage compared to 2022. In fact, their 64.3% completion rate in 2023 ranked 31st in the FBS, despite starting QB Casey Thompson missing the season with injury.
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Before FAU, Frye held the same position at Central Michigan for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He had a brief stint as the QB coach for the Dolphins in 2021, where he crossed paths with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Perhaps that connection is what got him the job today.
New Minnesota Vikings defensive assistant talks with Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Charlie Frye brings playing experience to coaching ranks
Frye had a short career as a player after being taken in the third round of the 2005 draft. He began with the Browns, starting 19 games for them and compiling a 6-13 record. He was traded to the Seahawks before the 2008 season, becoming their third-string QB. Frye then signed with the Raiders in 2009, starting the last three games before undergoing career-ending wrist surgery in 2010.
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For his career, Frye totaled 4,154 yards with 17 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. It was an unexpected outcome following a successful four years as a starter at Akron. Frye broke 54 school records during his college career, including completion percentage, yards, touchdowns and interceptions. Despite that, the Zips never made a bowl game with him under center.
New Minnesota Vikings defensive assistant Charlie Frye as the Raiders quarterback
Hiring an offensive mind to a defensive position is certainly an odd move from the Minnesota Vikings. Perhaps this will give the staff a fresh perspective when looking at film or during practice. Frye’s time at OC was not exactly groundbreaking either, so maybe his expertise will be better suited in a different role.
Flores is familiar with Frye after their year in Miami together, so he probably trusts him enough to make the move to the other side of the ball. For Frye, this is a chance to coach again at the highest level, an opportunity that he couldn’t let pass him by.
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