Kevin O’Connell first linked with Johnny Manziel in 2014 as a non-public quarterback coach, making ready the Heisman Trophy winner for the NFL Draft whereas constructing a relationship that may form each their careers. When the Cleveland Browns employed O’Connell as their quarterbacks coach in February 2015, the franchise was immediately influenced by his prior work with Manziel and their established belief.
Throughout a current look on Glory Daze Podcast, Manziel opened up about what O’Connell means to him, trying again at these formative pre-draft days when their partnership started. The appreciation in his voice made clear how a lot that early mentorship nonetheless resonates with him at the moment.
“Kevin O’Connell was with me pre-draft. He did my board work and movie room work as a result of he’s making ready me for the NFL. The Texans had the first choose that 12 months. He had been with Invoice O’Brien, so he was very a lot sitting down with me attempting to show me Invoice’s offense to have the ability to go into a gathering room and attempt to be the first choose within the draft. We spent day by day collectively for pre-draft – coaching camp.” Manziel mentioned. “He all the time holds like a very particular place in my coronary heart and a man that I discuss very extremely about,”
At all times grateful for Kevin O’Connell. @glorydazepod pic.twitter.com/4iYVfscBRr
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) November 28, 2025
When O’Connell joined the Browns’ teaching employees below Mike Pettine, Manziel already had full confidence in him. Following a tough first season and a interval in rehabilitation, their bond solely strengthened.
Manziel lived with O’Connell and his household in a residence linked to the power, occupying the downstairs bed room whereas working to revive stability by way of offseason applications. Amid intense scrutiny, public setbacks, and the demanding return to soccer, O’Connell supplied constant steerage by way of all of it.
But O’Connell’s presence couldn’t reverse Manziel’s trajectory. His rookie 12 months noticed restricted snaps throughout 5 video games with two begins, leading to an 0-2 report in these contests. The 2015 season introduced six begins and a 2-4 mark, however off-field troubles mounted rapidly.
Movies of partying prompted benching, a concussion ended his season, and allegations emerged after the 12 months concluded. On March 11, 2016, Cleveland launched Manziel, concluding his 14-game tenure with the franchise.
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