Brad Childress Brad " Chilly " Childress ( born June 27 , 1956 ) is the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings . He attended high school at the Marmion Academy in Aurora , Illinois . Childress has worked for over thirty years as a coach for various college programs and NFL franchises . Early coaching career . Childress is 1978 graduate of Eastern Illinois University , where he preceded current New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton . Childress attended Eastern Illinois after playing quarterback and wide receiver at the University of Illinois . He was one of three Eastern Illinois University alums who are head coaches in the NFL , along with Sean Payton and Mike Shanahan . Prior to his hiring by the Vikings , Childress had worked exclusively as an offensive coach , working his way up through the ranks in various college and NFL organizations , first as a position coach , culminating with his offensive coordinator position with the Eagles . Since 1978 , Childress has worked for four college organizations and three NFL teams : During the last four seasons of his tenure on the University of Illinois ' coaching staff , the Illini posted four consecutive winning seasons ( ' 81 - ' 84 ) , including a Big Ten championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1983 . Childress followed stints with the Indianapolis Colts , Northern Arizona , and the University of Utah with a very successful run at the University of Wisconsin . Childress was the offensive coordinator under former Badger head coach Barry Alvarez , and directed offenses that helped the Badgers to five bowl game appearances from 1993 – 1998 , including two Rose Bowls as Big Ten co - champions following the 1993 and 1998 seasons . He coached running back Ron Dayne for three seasons . Dayne went on to win the 1999 Heisman Trophy and finished his career as the all - time leading rusher in the Football Bowl Subdivision . Philadelphia Eagles ( 1999 - 2005 ) . Childress joined the Philadelphia Eagles for the 1999 NFL season , and helped the team to three consecutive trips to the NFC Championship game ( 2001 – 03 ) , and a Super Bowl trip in 2004 . Andy Reid , the Eagles ' head coach , had previously worked with Childress at Northern Arizona University , a staff that also included future NFL coaches Bill Callahan and Marty Mornhinweg . Childress did not call plays , this responsibility was taken by Andy Reid . He did receive credit for his work with quarterback Donovan McNabb , who was named to five Pro Bowls during his time with Childress . Minnesota Vikings ( 2006 - 2010 ) . On January 6 , 2006 , Childress was hired to be the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings . This choice was the result of a short - lived selection process . Former coach Mike Tice was informed that his contract would not be renewed shortly after the Vikings ' last game of the 2005 season on December 31 . Four candidates were interviewed by the Vikings : Childress , Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders , Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell , and former Vikings defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell . The Vikings were 9 - 7 with Mike Tice the year before Childress was named head coach . After going 6 - 10 in his first year , the team went 8 - 8 in his second season , narrowly missing a playoff berth . This was followed by a 10 - 6 record and NFC North title while battling the fourth - toughest schedule in the NFL . However , the Vikings were defeated by the # 6 seed Philadelphia Eagles 26 - 14 in the first round of the 2009 playoffs . On November 19 , 2009 , the Vikings announced they would be extending Brad Childress ' s contract through the 2013 season . The owner Zygi Wilf was cited as saying , “ Brad has done a tremendous job leading this football team and we value the positive environment he has created for the Minnesota Vikings on and off the field , He has continued to positively impact this team and create a strong foundation for future success . " Partly due to frustration with the development of quarterback Tavaris Jackson and the struggles of Sage Rosenfels , the Vikings signed Brett Favre for the 2009 season . Favre joined to the team after a controversial courtship which included Childress picking him up at the airport . Favre had a fine year as he led the Vikings to a 12 - 4 season , losing to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game . The Vikings acquired wide receiver Randy Moss and a seventh - round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft from the New England Patriots in early October 2010 in exchange for the Vikings ' third - round selection in the 2011 Draft . Just four weeks later he was waived under Childress ' direction , incurring the wrath of Viking fans . ESPN reported that Childress did not consider consulting with team owner Zygi Wilf on this decision . After the unilateral decision to cut Moss , Childress ' integrity was questioned by at least one former Vikings beat reporter . The reporter featured a quote from Childress made shortly after being hired , which stated , " telling the truth is the only way I know how to do it . " The article cites multiple instances of Childress lying to the media . Childress was fired on November 22 , 2010 , following a 31 – 3 home loss to the Green Bay Packers which dropped the team to 3 - 7 on the year . Coaching tree . NFL head coaches under whom Brad Childress has served : Assistant coaches under Brad Childress who became NFL head coaches :