Like Edwards, he seems oblivious to criticism and praise. He can make unpopular choices. In his first NFL draft, Reid passed over several more popular and obvious choices, namely Ricky Williams. Even the mayor of Philadelphia lobbied publicly for Williams. Reid drafted quarterback Donovan McNabb instead. Critics and fans howled. They complained again when Reid kept McNabb on the bench for more than half of his rookie season, waiting until he was ready.

Like Edwards, Reid is well-liked in a profession that seems to breed jealousy and backbiting. Like Edwards, he is loyal and doesn't give up on coaches or players quickly or make rash judgments. Like Edwards, he is a former offensive lineman who favors the passing game.

To the extreme

There is one thing in which Edwards and Reid are vastly different.

Edwards preached moderate hours; he believed coaches should be able accomplish their jobs in a normal work day. During the season, Reid sleeps at the office all week until Thursday or Friday night. He often goes to sleep at 1 a.m. and rises at 5 a.m. He was among the earliest to arrive and latest to leave the office wherever he has coached. In Green Bay, he and Gruden, another assistant, would race to see who arrived at the office first, getting there as early as 3:30 after four hours' sleep.

"That's one area where we re a lot different," says Edwards. "He takes it to an extreme. I've told him that. I worry about the guy like that. But you've got to do it your own way."

So what did Edwards see in Reid that caused him to hire the latter as a graduate assistant coach in 1982 and nudge him toward the coaching profession? He wouldn't say this, but if you listen to Edwards it seems that he saw some of himself.

"It was his temperament and his understanding of the game and his ability to work with people," recalls Edwards. "He was a popular guy on the team, and he was a good student."

Originally, Reid fell into Edwards' and BYU's lap.

He grew up in Los Angeles and lived in the same house until he left for college. His father, Walter, was an artist who created backdrops for theater and movies. His mother, Elizabeth, was a doctor of radiology.

Reid was a heavily recruited offensive lineman and kicker in high school. Despite his size (250 pounds at the time), he was athletic. He won the national punt, pass and kick contest, and as a high school senior he kicked three game-winning field goals. Reid was offered scholarships from several schools, including UCLA, whose coach was Dick Vermeil at the time. He turned them down. His dream was to play for USC. The Trojans said he wasn't ready. Coach John McKay sent Reid to play for Glendale Community College for seasoning, planning to sign him in two years.