Vikings name new Coach.....

[Robeson]

...It's Brad Childress from the Eagles! The Zygi man works fast! Welcome aboard Coach Childress!

http://www.startribune.com/510/story/166073.html

[DaveinMD]

1. good job

further weakens the Eagles.

[akarnitz]

2. Gee, that was quick. nt

[trotsky]

3. A sign that Wilf does indeed mean business.

He knew there would be a competition for the top coaching candidates, with so many vacancies, so he found the guy he wanted, went out and GOT him before anyone else. And the best part? We stole him away from the Packers, who were apparently pretty interested in him too! Ha ha!

I like Zygi.

[hijinx87]

4. devil's advocate . . .

"Although he held the coordinator's title, Childress did not call the offensive plays for the Eagles. That job was handled by Reid. Childress, however, did receive credit for his work with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl selection."

he's been in coaching since '78, and his heretofore greatest level of
accomplishment is an OC position that doesn't call the plays?

[SaveElmer]

5. Reid didn't either...

When he was with the Packers...not that uncommon...and in fact Childress did call some games.

[hijinx87]

6. but reid wasn't an OC.

prior to being named head coach at philly, he was QBs coach
at green bay. prior to that he was TE coach at green bay.

[SaveElmer]

7. I think...

When he was being courted by the 49'ers in 1997, the Packers promoted him to Offensive Supervisor, or some such title. There were quotes in the paper from Reid commenting on Childress not calling plays, and Reid himself noted that he had not done that in GB. I'll look for a link on the promotion thing.

[hijinx87]

8. nope.

he didn't call the plays because that's not what QB coaches do.

the scuttlebutt at the time was that it was too big a promotion, from
QBs to HC, and that he was getting the promotion based on credit for brett
favre's play.

packers fan . . . I remember it like it was yesterday.

[SaveElmer]

9. I guess...

The point Reid was making then was that he went from a position where he was not calling plays to head coach of a team....pointing out that it is not a requirement for a successful head coach.

[hijinx87]

10. back in those days, they couldn't make mike holmgren's

assistants head coaches fast enough. and you really can't argue
with the results. but I read childress' bio, and I'm just not sure
he has the same pedigree.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/13560748.htm

[SaveElmer]

11. I hope he lives up to the hype...

After 37 years as a Vikings fan with nothing but disappointment I'm not sure how much longer I can care. I'm coming to the conclusion that the Vikings are genetically incapable of not choking!!!

I did catch his press conference today and he does seem like a real no-nonsense type of guy...so we'll see!!!

[Robeson]

12. I'd take a ham sandwich over Mike Tice.....

...and Childress has an excellent pedigree, however you want to spin it....

"His college coaching experience includes stints at Illinois 1978-84 (running backs, wide receivers); Northern Arizona 1986-89 (offensive coordinator); Utah 1990 (wide receivers); and Wisconsin 1991 (running backs, offensive coordinator). He was quarterbacks coach for the Indianapolis Colts in 1985.

While coaching at Northern Arizona, he worked with Reid and future NFL coaches Bill Callahan (Raiders) and Marty Mornhinweg (Lions). Callahan is now coaching Nebraska, while Mornhinweg is an Eagles assistant."

http://www.startribune.com/510/story/167512.html

That represents tons of experience, along with many connections in the football community, while observing many styles, methods and positions. In addition, he's widely regarded as the one who has developed McNabb into a 5 time Pro Bowl QB. After Greg Williams of Washington, Childress was probably one of the hottest commodities for a head coaching position. After Williams resigned with Washington, the Vikings then grabbed arguably the next best guy available. I think they could have done A LOT worse.

[MrSlayer]

13. Childress is a good guy and a fine coach.

He won't be shaking the players down for their Super Bowl tickets either. Good luck to him, except when he's playing us.