Brad Childress is a solid guy with admirable values, but right now he’s about as popular in these parts as someone selling unleaded regular for $4.25 a gallon. Yesterday’s 30-17 loss to Tennessee and a disappointing 1-3 start to the season follow the head coach’s first two non-playoff seasons in 2006 and 2007 when the Vikings’ records were 6-10 and 8-8.
Scrutiny about his coaching future will likely be more intense than ever with this being his third year leading the team. Even before Sunday’s game there was speculation that former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher might become the Vikings next head coach. Radio talk show host Dark Star, who was out front a few years back on the Vikings’ trading Randy Moss, said last week on TV (The Sports Show) that owner Zygi Wilf has talked to Cowher.
Cowher is only 51 and stopped coaching in 2006. He’s considered a coaching prize and his name is tied to speculation with not only the Vikings but Cleveland and Detroit, too. He coached for 15 NFL seasons, all with Pittsburgh. His record includes eight division titles and one Super Bowl championship.
If Wilf were to make a coaching change during the season, or after, it makes sense he would favor an experienced coach. He and his advisors hired Childress who had been an assistant with Philadelphia but never an NFL head coach.
Wilf’s willingness to spend money on players and his statements about winning leave no doubt the Vikings’ owner is in pursuit of championships. A losing team doesn’t enhance the organization’s drive for a new stadium, either.
The Vikings’ losing start has been the result of a struggling offense and a defense that has a big reputation but hasn’t been that difficult to score on inside the 20 yard line. Yesterday, for example, two Vikings’ fumbles and an interception led to three touchdowns by the Titans.
The Vikings have many talented players but the organization’s acquisition of personnel to enhance the play at quarterback and among the receivers has been unsuccessful so far. Player performance and the organization’s personnel decisions aren’t just the responsibility of a head coach. But you know who usually receives the most blame.