Brad Childress: NFL Head Coach Biography

Brad Childress is an American football coach best known for his tenure as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL) from 2006 to
2010. Renowned for his offensive acumen and leadership, Childress has enjoyed a long and varied career in both college and professional football.

Playing Career

• Childress played college football at Eastern Illinois University as a quarterback and wide receiver in the late 1970s.

Coaching Career

• Began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Illinois (1978–1984).
• Held a series of assistant coaching roles at various colleges, including:
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Northern Arizona (offensive coordinator)
• University of Utah (offensive coordinator)
• University of Wisconsin (offensive coordinator, 1991–1998), where he helped develop a potent rushing attack and worked under Barry Alvarez.
• Entered the NFL ranks in 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles under head coach Andy Reid. Served as:
• Quarterbacks coach (1999–2001)
• Offensive coordinator (2002–2005)
• Helped guide the Eagles to four straight NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl XXXIX appearance.
• Became head coach of the Minnesota Vikings (2006–2010).
• Led the Vikings to two NFC North titles (2008, 2009) and an appearance in the 2009 NFC Championship Game, finishing one game shy of the Super Bowl.
• Coached notable players such as Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson.
• After departing Minnesota, Childress returned to assistant roles in the NFL and other leagues:
• Kansas City Chiefs (offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, 2013–2017)
• Chicago Bears (consultant, 2018)
• Atlanta Legends (Alliance of American Football, head coach, 2019, but resigned before coaching a game)

Highlights & Accomplishments

• Career NFL head coaching record: 39–35 (regular season), 1–2 playoff record.
• Two NFC North division titles with Minnesota Vikings (2008, 2009).
• Instrumental in the development of Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame-caliber players.
• Respected offensive strategist with a long-standing association with Andy Reid.

Personal & Legacy

• Born June 27, 1956, in Aurora, Illinois.
• Known for his methodical approach and sometimes stoic sideline demeanor.
• Remains a respected figure in football circles for his coaching versatility and experience.

Legacy & Career Overview

Brad Childress: NFL Head Coach Biography

Early Life and Background
Brad Childress was born on June 27, 1956, in Aurora, Illinois. Growing up in the Midwest, Childress developed a passion for football early in life, participating in local leagues and excelling through his high school years. He attended Eastern Illinois University, where he was a standout player for the Panthers as a quarterback and wide receiver. While he never played in the NFL, his strong understanding of the game and leadership qualities would later translate into a prolific coaching career.

Playing Career

While at Eastern Illinois, Childress played quarterback and wide receiver, becoming known for his football intelligence and work ethic. Though not a star at the collegiate level, his time as a player provided valuable insight and laid the foundation for his future coaching philosophy. Childress graduated in 1978 and immediately transitioned into coaching.

Early Coaching Career

Brad Childress began his coaching journey at the collegiate level, starting as a graduate assistant at the University of Illinois. Over the next two decades, he would hold various assistant coaching positions at multiple universities, including:

• Illinois (Graduate Assistant, Wide Receivers Coach)
• Indiana (Running Backs Coach, Offensive Coordinator)
• Northern Arizona (Offensive Coordinator)
• Utah (Offensive Coordinator)
• Wisconsin (Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach)

At Wisconsin, Childress was part of Barry Alvarez's staff and helped develop the Badgers’ offense, contributing to several bowl game appearances and the rise of Wisconsin as a Big Ten contender in the 1990s.

NFL Coaching Career

Childress made the jump to the NFL in 1999, joining the Philadelphia Eagles as the team's quarterbacks coach under head coach Andy Reid. He was instrumental in the development of quarterback Donovan McNabb, one of the franchise's all-time greats. Childress's work with the Eagles saw him promoted to offensive coordinator in 2002, a position he held until
2005. During his tenure, the Eagles reached four consecutive NFC Championship games (2001-2004) and appeared in Super Bowl XXXIX.

• Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2005)
  • Quarterbacks Coach (1999–2001)
  • Offensive Coordinator (2002–2005)

In 2006, Childress was hired as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, a position he held until
2010. He inherited a team in transition and gradually molded it into a playoff contender. Under his leadership, the Vikings steadily improved, and by 2008, they clinched the NFC North Division title. The pinnacle of Childress’s tenure came in the 2009 season, when the Vikings finished with a 12-4 record, won another division title, and advanced to the NFC Championship Game behind the stellar play of quarterback Brett Favre, who Childress and the organization famously lured out of retirement.

• Minnesota Vikings (2006–2010)
  • Head Coach

Coaching Record and Highlights with the Vikings:

• Overall regular season record: 39-35
• Playoff record: 1-2
• Two NFC North division titles (2008, 2009)
• Reached NFC Championship Game in 2009

Despite the highs of 2009, the Vikings stumbled in 2010, which led to Childress's dismissal midseason.

Later Coaching Positions and Consultancy

After his stint with Minnesota, Childress returned to the NFL in various advisory and assistant roles, often reuniting with Andy Reid. He served as an offensive consultant and special projects analyst for the Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2017), and briefly as the head coach of the Atlanta Legends in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019, although he resigned before the season began. Childress also worked with the Chicago Bears as a Senior Offensive Assistant in
2018.

• Kansas City Chiefs: Spread Game Analyst, Assistant Head Coach
• Chicago Bears: Senior Offensive Assistant (2018)
• Atlanta Legends (AAF): Head Coach (2019, resigned before season)

Personal Life and Legacy

Brad Childress is known for his disciplined approach, innovative offensive schemes, and ability to develop quarterbacks. Though his head coaching career in the NFL was relatively brief, he is respected for guiding the Vikings to prominence and for his long-term contributions as a top assistant. Childress was influential in the careers of players like Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre and is credited with helping shape the offensive philosophies of several successful teams. Off the field, Childress is recognized for his wry sense of humor and dedication to family. He and his wife, Dru-Ann, have four children. Over several decades, Childress’s impact on the game has been felt through both his coaching tree and the offensive innovations he brought to his teams.

Career Summary

• NFL Head Coaching Record: 39-35 (Regular Season), 1-2 (Playoffs)
• Notable Accomplishments:
  • Two NFC North Division Titles (2008, 2009)
  • NFC Championship Game appearance (2009)
  • Instrumental in the development of Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre’s late-career resurgence

Brad Childress’s journey through the ranks of football, from a small-college player to an NFL head coach and trusted advisor, underscores his enduring influence on the sport and his reputation as a sharp offensive mind and respected leader.