Ziggy Wilf Fires Childress, Elevates Leslie Frazier
After weeks of speculation and a dismal 3-7 showing, Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has finally dropped the hammer on Brad Childress. The final straw was undoubtedly the 31-3 loss to the rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
The firing comes three weeks after Childress released newly acquired wide receiver Randy Moss. The controversial decision did not sit well with Wilf and fueled widespread speculation that the Vikings coach was on very thin ice.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, 51, has been elevated to the position of interim head coach for the remainder of the 2010 season. He joined the Vikes in February 2007, just four days after his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, won Super Bowl XLI.
During his tenure with the Colts, Frazier worked for Tony Dungy as Special Assistant to the Head Coach as well as Defensive Backs Coach.
Childress joined the Vikes in 2006 after spending seven years with the Eagles, four of those as offensive coordinator. He was brought in by Zygi to instill discipline and better off-the-field behavior.
The previous year, the Viking organization was embarrassed by a boat party scandal involving prostitutes flown in from Atlanta and Florida. Seventeen key Vikings players — including quarterback Daunte Culpepper were implicated.
A news conference from Winter Park was held at 3:00 p.m. central time. Frazier said: “We are going through an adverse time. I have no hesitation in saying that Brett Favre will be our starting quarterback on Sunday against the Washington Redskins.
Childress statement: “The past five years have been a tremendous experience for my family and I as the Head Coach of the Minnesota Vikings. I have a great respect for the players and coaches who I have worked with and for their dedication to each other and to the organization.”
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