The Minnesota Vikings have lost one of the members of their coaching staff to the University of California.
Minnesota will have to be on the search for a new safeties coach in 2026, as current coach Michael Hutchings will be heading to the west coast to defensively coordinate the Cal Bears.
Vikings Lose Michael Hutchings to Cal
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 14: Joshua Metellus #44 of the Minnesota Vikings walks to the sideline during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Charean Williams of NBC Sports had more details on Hutchings going back to the college game:
“Vikings safeties coach Michael Hutchings is returning to the West Coast.
Hutchings, a San Francisco native who played and coached at USC, is leaving Minnesota to join Tosh Lupoi’s staff at Cal. Hutchings will take over as defensive coordinator, Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report reports.
Lupoi and Hutchings were high school teammates at De La Salle High School in Concord, California. Hutchings is finishing his third season with the Vikings, spending 2023 as the assistant defensive backs coach. He also has coached at Oregon and Western Kentucky.”
Hutchings’ Path to Minnesota
GettyPASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Linebacker Michael Hutchings #19 of the USC Trojans reacts with teammates in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Hutchings played linebacker for the USC Trojans from 2013 to 2016. He was the captain of the Rose Bowl-winning Trojans in 2016, and was given All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors.
In 2018 and 2019, he assisted the linebacker coaching staff as a graduate assistant at USC. He was promoted to defensive quality control analyst for the team in 2020. He then spent 2021 with the Oregon Ducks as a defensive analyst.
His first full-time coaching role came in 2022 with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, overseeing the outside linebackers. Hutchings was able to put together an impressive season for his group that year, leading to NFL attention and his eventual signing with the Minnesota Vikings as safety coach.
Notable players that Hutchings coached in his time in college include former Vikings draft pick Cameron Smith, current Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga, and current Chiefs defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu.
Hutchings’ Departure Leaves Door Open for Vikings Legend to Coach Safety Room
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 07: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the second half against the Washington Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
This may appear far-fetched, but it also makes sense. Harrison Smith’s career is likely coming to a conclusion, and everyone knows how much he loves the game. Additionally, he loves the Minnesota Vikings.
It is plenty understandable to think that the dude may just want to get away from football after his retirement. However, this timeline seems a bit too perfect. It’s believed that he will be around the Vikings in a large capacity after he hangs up the cleats.
Smith couldn’t ask for a better timeline to unfold if he really wanted to become part of the Vikings coaching staff post-retirement.
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