EAGAN, Minn. — Beyah Rasool’s path to this week’s third-annual Vikings Diversity Coaching Summit began in 2008 as a coach at Rincon High School in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona.
Jordan Todman was a freshman running back at UConn on his way to an eventual seven-season career in the NFL (which included time on the Vikings practice squad in 2012) that has been followed by coaching.
Vikings Assistant Head Coach Mike Pettine was in his fourth and final season as the outside linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens before becoming defensive coordinator of the New York Jets.
The three converged in Minnesota this week as Pettine led the third annual Diversity Coaching Summit.
The program was launched upon Pettine’s arrival in 2022 as a way to expand career opportunities for coaches through tutelage and give Vikings coaches increased familiarity with candidates who might be considered for a future opportunity.
It was a chance for the coaches to gain information and also provided validation in their approach.
“It’s been remarkable. You know, it’s been both eye-opening and also validating. You feel like you’ve been able to learn from some good coaches along your journey,” Rasool said. “So, when you’re in this building and you’re hearing some of the same things that you’ve learned over the years, it gives you a strong sense of reassurance, confidence to go back to your place and just do it better. You leave with a lot of knowledge, but you also leave with some validation that, ‘Hey, maybe I’m on the right path.’ “
Rasool coached in high schools for four seasons before transitioning to Pima Community College (2012) and his alma mater of Eastern Arizona College (2014-16). He coached at Missouri (2019-20) as a defensive graduate assistant before joining Arizona (2021-22) and Bowling Green, where he helped the Falcons rack up 16 interceptions.
His mother teaches dance, and his father is an assistant principal at an Arizona high school, so Rasool was drawn to coaching because of its closeness with teaching.
Asked what he loves so much about coaching, his smile broadens.
“The camaraderie, the brotherhood, the relationships,” Rasool said. “It’s all about serving people; it’s a people business. … It’s really always been about serving others to help them find their path in life. So, football is just the best way to do that.”
Pettine, the son of a longtime successful…
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