Wade Phillips is a former American football coach who has had a long and successful career in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on June 21, 1947, in Orange, Texas, and grew up in a football family. His father, Bum Phillips, was a legendary coach in the NFL, and Wade followed in his footsteps.
Phillips began his coaching career in 1976 as an assistant coach for the Houston Oilers. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the team's defensive coordinator in 1979. Under his leadership, the Oilers had one of the best defenses in the league, and Phillips was widely regarded as one of the top defensive coaches in the NFL.
In 1985, Phillips left the Oilers to become the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. He spent three seasons with the Saints, but was unable to turn the struggling franchise around. In 1988, he was fired and returned to the Oilers as their defensive coordinator.
Phillips continued to have success as a defensive coordinator, and in 1993 he was hired by the Denver Broncos. He helped lead the Broncos to two Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998, and his defense was a key factor in both wins.
In 2003, Phillips was hired as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. He spent three seasons with the team, but was unable to lead them to the playoffs. In 2006, he was fired and returned to the NFL as a defensive coordinator.
Over the next several years, Phillips served as a defensive coordinator for several teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, and Houston Texans. He continued to have success as a defensive coach, and in 2011 he was named the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
In 2013, Phillips was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. He helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2016, and his defense was once again a key factor in the win.
After the Super Bowl victory, Phillips left the Broncos and became the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. He helped lead the team to the Super Bowl in 2019, but the Rams were defeated by the New England Patriots.
In January 2020, Phillips announced that he was retiring from coaching. He had spent over 40 years in the NFL, and had established himself as one of the top defensive coaches in the league.
Throughout his career, Phillips was known for his innovative defensive schemes and his ability to get the most out of his players. He was widely respected by his peers and his players, and his impact on the NFL will be felt for years to come.
🏈