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The Minnesota Vikings and assistant coach Rick Dennison have parted ways after he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine, ESPN reported Friday.
His departure comes just one day after the NFL issued a memo coming down hard on unvaccinated players.
Dennison, who served as the team’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator since 2019, parted ways with the Vikings after choosing not to get vaccinated, making him the first coach to do so, according to the report.
A source told the outlet that Phil Rauscher, who currently serves as the assistant offensive line coach, will be taking over Dennison’s role.
The Vikings released the following statement, confirming that Dennison does not have an exemption to the vaccination requirements.
The NFL issued a memo to all 32 clubs on Thursday informing them that COVID outbreaks among unvaccinated players could result in the forfeiture of games and loss of play.
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Commissioner Roger Goodell said in the memo that the league does not intend to add another week to accommodate games that need to be rescheduled because of COVID outbreaks. It further stated that outbreaks among unvaccinated players could result in forfeiture and loss of pay for both teams if the games are canceled.
The memo was seen widely as a way to enforce vaccination without requiring it.
The league also noted that while "more than 75 percent of players are in the process of being vaccinated," nearly all clubs have vaccinated 100 percent of their Tier 1 and 2 staffs."
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According to ESPN, the vaccine is required for all Tier 1 staff, unlike players who have the option.
Dennison began his coaching career with the Denver Broncos in 1995 where he stayed until 2009 before moving on to the Houston Texans where he served as the offensive coordinator. He returned to Denver for 2015 and 2016 seasons before joining the Vikings in February 2019. He also spent time with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens.
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