Vikings Hire Childress To Be Head Coach

By Krupka  |   Saturday, January 07, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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After a string of head coaches in the NFL have been fired this off-season, the Minnesota Vikings became the first team to hire a new head coach. On Friday they hired Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress, agreeing on a 5 year contract, making him the 7th coach in team history. Other candidates the Vikings interviewed were Indianapolis Colts quarterback/assistant coach Jim Caldwell, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator/assistant coach Al Saunders, and defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf opened the Friday afternoon press conference by saying, "Coach Childress was the elite NFL head coaching candidate. He embodies class, character and discipline and is a great family man. Bottom line, Brad Childress is a winner." These are all qualities that are important to Wilf and Vikings fans. After all of the off the field issues the Vikings had to deal with in the past year, it can be assured that the type of behavior and actions that took place will no longer be accepted and most importantly will no longer occur.

After being introduced Childress got right to business talking about how everything on offense and defense starts upfront with the line play. He talked about Daunte Culpepper and how the Eagles had him rated #2 behind Donovan McNabb on their draft board. He talked about the class and dignity that he expects from his players. When asked about the Vikings offense next season he said that they will run the west coast offense but will tailor it to the players and teams strengths; and that an offensive coordinator will be brought in but he will be calling the plays. He called the Vikings head coaching position the best job available. During his press conference he also acknowledged Minnesota Vikings legendary head coach Bud Grant and how he had the chance to talk with Grant.

Childress is thought of highly by his former players. Philadelphia Eagles tight end Chad Lewis when asked about him leaving the Eagles to become the head coach of the Vikings said, "He is a Midwestern guy and will fit in well in Minnesota. He's very well-versed in the West Coast offense, and he knows how to coach every position. He understands how to coach. He'll be perfect for the Vikings."

Eagles' offensive tackle Jon Runyan noted that if the Eagles hadn't been as successful the past few years that Childress would probably have already had a job as a head coach in the NFL. NFL rules only let assistant coaches on playoff teams interview for head coaching positions during the bye week at the start of the playoffs and once their team is eliminated from the playoffs.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb had this to say, "Brad is a well-coached guy. He is a guy that knows everything about this offense and most importantly, he is a great human being."

The Minnesota Vikings have found their guy and are giving him the resources necessary to hire any assistant coaches that he wants. This is a stark change from the Red McCombs era in which the Vikings had the lowest paid coaching staff in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how Childress fills out his staff. There are already rumors that Eagles' linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo is the leading candidate to take over as the defensive coordinator.

Now that the Minnesota Vikings have found their head coach, owner Zygi Wilf will turn his attention to finding a personnel man to work with the front office in a GM type role.
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