EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have hired Marwan Maalouf to be their new special teams coordinator, the team announced Friday.
Here are five things to know about Maalouf:
1. Plenty of NFL experience
The 2019 season will be Maalouf's 15th in the NFL.
He has previously worked for the Browns (2004-06), Ravens (2008-11), Colts (2012) and Dolphins (2013-18).
Maalouf has helped special teams units deliver game-changing plays and consistent year-long performances.
In 2012, the Colts returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns for the first time since 2001.
The 2014 Dolphins blocked five kicks (three punts, including one against the Vikings, and two field goals).
Rookies Jakeem Grant and Kenyan Drake each returned a kickoff and punt for touchdowns in 2016, becoming just the fourth set of teammates to do so in one season since the 1970 NFL merger.
2. He is of Lebanese heritage
In an interview with Colts.com, Maalouf described his Lebanese heritage.
His parents speak Arabic, but he said he blends Arabic and English when speaking with them.
Maalouf's parents own a Lebanese restaurant in Ohio, and he said his mom is a fantastic cook.
3. A former lineman
The native of Strongsville, Ohio, played football and competed in track and field before attending Baldwin Wallace, where he lettered three years while playing on the offensive line.
Maalouf was selected as a team captain and as the Outstanding Offensive Lineman as a senior.
He was twice named to the All-Ohio Athletic Conference Team.
4. Worked the college ranks
Maalouf began his coaching career as an assistant offensive line coach at his alma mater.
After one season there, he spent 2001 as the assistant offensive line coach at Fordham.
From 2002-03, Maalouf worked as an assistant offensive line coach/graduate assistant at Rutgers before entering the NFL in 2004 for the first of three seasons with Cleveland.
5. In the interim
After spending 2004-06 with the Browns, Maalouf worked for Scouts, Inc. and ESPN in 2007. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach for Baldwin Wallace that season.
Maalouf wrote scouting reports and game reviews before returning to the sidelines with Baltimore in 2008.
