MINNEAPOLIS — Their bushy mustaches look about the same, and their approaches to building and organizing their teams are similar. Heck, most of their team's fans want them fired, too.

But Andy Reid and Brad Childress have different personalities and divergent styles, and this branch of the NFL's coaching tree has several variations and twists.

"He's maybe a little bit more, if you can imagine this, flat line than I am," Minnesota's Childress said. "Hard for you to see that, right?"

The football staff at Northern Arizona University in 1986 spawned four future NFL head coaches. The bond formed between Reid and Childress during that season together in the high desert of Flagstaff and the high-scoring Big Sky Conference was strong enough that, 13 years later, Reid chose Childress as his offensive coordinator when he was hired to lead the Philadelphia Eagles.

Childress' chance to be in charge at Minnesota came seven seasons later, and he has guided the NFC North champion Vikings to a wild-card game at the Metrodome today against Reid and his old team.

"Well, I wish I wasn't seeing Brad in the first round," Reid said, "but I am proud of him."

Childress was the offensive coordinator at NAU, and Reid was the line coach. They've shared plenty of anecdotes and advice about coaching, and their families remain friendly. Despite their attempts to downplay the personal significance of this game, it's surely a source of pride for them — especially considering the hurdles their teams have cleared to get here, as well as the public skepticism they've endured about their ability and performance.

The expertise of both Reid and Childress is on offense; Reid was one of Brett Favre's many quarterback coaches in Green Bay, and down the road in Madison, Childress was drawing up plays for Heisman Trophy-winning running back Ron Dayne.

The comparisons quickly turn to contrasts, though.

"Once you start talking about personal aspect, they are nothing alike," said Vikings offensive lineman Artis Hicks, who played four years for the Eagles. "They are night and day."

Reid?

"He hardly talks. You've got to punch him, threaten him, or do something to get him to say a couple of words," Hicks said. "When he does talk, of course you take heed."

Childress?

"He's a psychology major, so he's always challenging you," Hicks said, adding: "You can kind of get caught up in that fog and that haze."

There is also the difference in game plan preference. Though the Vikings would be foolish not to use NFL rushing leader Adrian Peterson as much as possible, Childress has always been a run-first coach. Though Reid's strategy has been fueled by the success of quarterback Donovan McNabb, he would much rather pass the ball.

So what about those mustaches? Who has the more distinguished look?

"Maybe Childress, because he's bald up top so his mustache probably means more to him," Hicks said.

The game against his friend and former colleague certainly means a lot more.