Former Vikings safety Robert Blanton is one of ten participants in the team's second annual Diversity Coaching Summit, taking place this week at TCO Performance Center.
Last year, Vikings assistant coach Mike Pettine spearheaded the inaugural event, which was attended by 12 minority coaches. It's a three-day summit that "includes presentations, group activities and mock interviews, as well as time on the field with current Vikings players," per the team.
The event's purpose is to provide "an opportunity for participants to build relationships, broaden their networks and receive helpful feedback in hopes of improving opportunities for minority coaches."
This year's summit includes ten minority coaches from colleges around the country:
- Heather Marini, Brown, Quarterbacks Coach
- Turner Pugh, Eastern Illinois, Running Backs Coach
- Dan Hernandez, Indiana Wesleyan, Offensive Line Coach
- Julian Griffin, UTSA, Running Backs Coach
- Robert Blanton, Miami (Ohio), Cornerbacks Coach
- Stephen Barnette, Duke, Offensive Analyst
- Colin Lockett, Oregon, Offensive Graduate Assistant/WR
- Koa Ka’ai, Oregon, Offensive Analyst
- Julian Campenni, Bowling Green, Defensive Line Coach
- Karmichael Dunbar, Florida, Assistant Strength and Conditioning
Vikings fans will recognize Blanton's name. A fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2012, he played in 60 games with 17 starts over four seasons in Minnesota. That includes 13 starts, a team-leading 106 tackles, and his lone NFL interception in 2014. Blanton then spent two seasons with the Bills before retiring.
After his playing career ended, Blanton got into coaching in 2020 as the defensive backs coach at Benilde-St. Margaret's High School in St Louis Park, MN. In 2022, he was hired by Miami (OH) as their cornerbacks coach. Not only is this a cool opportunity for Blanton, it'll be fun for him to be back around the Vikings' organization this week. He'll get to learn, build relationships, and even spend a little time with Harrison Smith, his former safety partner in both college and the NFL.
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