Vikings ax Childress, name Frazier interim coach

Brad Childress nearly coached the Vikings to the Super Bowl in February after luring Brett Favre out of retirement last season. But the embattled coach didn't even make it to December this year, as the Vikings fired him Monday after a 31-3 loss to the Packers on Sunday dropped the team to 3-7.

Childress, who received a contract extension just last year, was replaced by defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, a former NFL cornerback who takes over as the team's interim coach. There's a chance Frazier will be hired on a more permanent basis after the season.

Childress has had a rocky season on several fronts this year. He angered Vikings management when he released wide receiver Randy Moss, who had been acquired from the Patriots for a third-round draft pick, after just four games. Childress also got into a shouting match with receiver Percy Harvin after the receiver initially declined to get an MRI on his injured ankle.

Childress is the second head coach fired before the end of the season. The Cowboys replaced Wade Phillips on Nov. 8. Both coaches were let go the day after their respective teams were blown out by the Packers.

"It's often difficult to articulate one reason why change is needed," Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said at a news conference to announce the firing. "[Childress] was an integral part of helping this franchise turn the corner and re-establishing ourselves as a force in the NFL."

Wilf also credited Childress, a longtime Eagles' assistant coach under Andy Reid before taking the Vikings' job in 2006, with "bringing in players who did an excellent job representing themselves and our organization in this community."

Childress had occasional disagreements with Favre since the 41-year-old quarterback came out of retirement in August 2009. There was speculation Childress was ready to bench Favre and replace him with Tarvaris Jackson, but one of Frazier's first pronouncements Monday was that Favre would remain the starter.

"There's no hesitation from me in that regard," Frazier said of retaining Favre as his starter. "I'm of the belief that Brett Favre is going to get it going and the turnovers are going to come down and we're going to get going as a football team."

Favre enjoyed a career year in 2009 with 33 touchdowns and a career-low seven interceptions. But this year, he has only 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

Frazier, 51, has interviewed seven times for NFL head coaching jobs. A highly respected defensive coordinator, Frazier was a Bears cornerback from 1981-85. He had 20 career interceptions.

Childress finished his Vikings' career with a 40-37 record, including a 1-2 mark in the playoffs.

"I am proud of our accomplishments and believe the foundation of this football team is stronger today than when I became head coach," Childress said in a statement released by the team.

"Brad Childress is a good guy, a man with strong faith and a great family," Favre said in a statement issued by the team. "I wish him the best in the future.

"I think we all, starting with me, could have done more to make this a successful season."