Brad Childress

During the last four seasons of his tenure on the University of Illinois' coaching staff, the Illini posted four consecutive winning seasons ('81–'84),[6] including a Big Ten championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1983.[7] Childress followed stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Northern Arizona, and the University of Utah with a successful run at the University of Wisconsin. Childress was the offensive coordinator under former Badger head coach Barry Alvarez,[8] 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.[7] 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.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11] While Childress did not call plays for the Eagles (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.[12]

On January 6, 2006, Childress was hired to be the 7th head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. This choice was the result of a short 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.[12]

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.[13]

On November 19, 2009, the Vikings announced they would be extending 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."[14]

Partly due to frustration with the development of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, 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.[15] Favre led the Vikings to a 12–4 season, losing to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game.[16]

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 Vikings fans. ESPN reported that Childress did not consider consulting with team owner Zygi Wilf on this decision.[17] After the unilateral decision to cut Moss, Childress' integrity was questioned by at least one former Vikings beat reporter.[18]

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.[19]

On January 27, 2012, Childress became the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator. He lasted just one season in Cleveland, and was let go at the end of the year along with head coach Pat Shurmur and the rest of the coaching staff.[20]

On March 28, 2013, new head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs Andy Reid hired Childress as the spread game analyst and special projects coordinator, a position he stayed at for three seasons. On January 18, 2016, he was promoted to co-offensive coordinator with Matt Nagy. During games, Childress worked from a stadium skybox and Nagy on the sidelines.[21] On February 13, 2017, Childress was promoted to assistant head coach.[22] Childress announced his retirement on January 8, 2018, following a wildcard round playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans.

On April 25, 2018, the Alliance of American Football announced Childress would serve as head coach of the Atlanta Legends starting with the inaugural 2019 season.[23] On January 9, 2019, one month before the team's first game, Childress resigned, with defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle succeeding him.[24]

In a 2019 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Childress explained his decision was spurred by doubts about the AAF's long-term viability prior to the start of the 2019 season. The league would fold midseason for financial troubles.[25]

On February 27, 2018, Childress came out of retirement to reunite with Nagy on the Chicago Bears as an offensive consultant.[26] Serving through the 2018 offseason and training camp, Childress assisted Nagy in developing and installing his offense.[27]

Childress rejoined the Bears on May 1, 2019, as the senior offensive assistant.[27] He retired from coaching in April 2020.[28]