Eagles assistant Brad Childress was hired as coach of the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, five days after Mike Tice was fired following a 9-7 season marked by a scandalous boat party. "Coach Childress was the elite NFL head coaching candidate," owner Zygi Wilf said at a news conference to announce the hiring. "He embodies class, character and discipline and is a great family man. Bottom line, Brad Childress is a winner." Childress agreed to five-year contract, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported. Tice was fired Sunday after Minnesota beat the Chicago Bears 34-10 in the final game of the regular season. The 49-year-old Childress has been the Eagles' offensive coordinator since 2002. This is his first head coaching job. "As steward of this great franchise, I'll do everything I possibly can ... to bring an NFC championship and Super Bowl to the people of Minnesota," said Childress, sporting a brilliant purple tie and Vikings pin.