Phillips could become Cowboys coach today
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
After the second-longest and most exhaustive search in Cowboys history, owner Jerry Jones has found his man.
Former Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips flew from San Diego to Dallas late Wednesday night and is working out contract details to become the seventh coach in Cowboys history.
A formal announcement is expected later Thursday.
Phillips, 60, emerged from a group of 10 candidates -- the most ever interviewed for the Cowboys job.
In the end, he edged out 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who served a similar role with the Cowboys on the 1992 and 1993 Super Bowl title teams and was considered the favorite for the position after Bill Parcells' retirement Jan. 22.
Turner had hoped his close relationship with the Jones family and familiarity with organization would make a difference -- especially because Jones was seeking a coach with whom he could be comfortable and someone he could have fun with after four years with the grumpy Parcells.
The laidback nature of Phillips, a native Texan and son of former Oilers coach Bum Phillips, proved to be good enough for Jones.
Phillips had previous successful experiences as a head coach with Buffalo, Denver, New Orleans and Atlanta and his expertise with the 3-4 defense. The Cowboys made the switch to the 3-4 two years ago and have spent considerable resources drafting and signing players to play the defense. Jones did not want to change schemes.
Considering that the continued development of Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo was a key factor in the coaching search, the choice of Phillips also means that the Jones is comfortable with former Cowboys backup quarterback and recent hire Jason Garrett running the offense.
Garrett has been coaching only two years -- as quarterbacks coach of the Dolphins. But he spent 12 years in the league as a backup, including seven behind Hall-of-Famer Troy Aikman in Dallas.
Jones believes Garrett is one of the league’s bright offensive minds and sees him as a potential head coach one day. Garrett was initially interviewed for the head coaching job, but two days later he joined the staff as offensive coordinator.
Turner has a strong relationship with Garrett and would have been a willing tutor. But there is no question who would have been in charge of the offense in that scenario. With Phillips as coach, Garrett is in complete charge of the offense while being prepped to become the team’s next head coach.
Phillips’ age and experience suggests that he won’t have a long tenure in Dallas.
But that doesn’t mean the Cowboys aren’t hoping it will be a successful one.
After going 9-7 and losing in the wildcard playoffs, the Cowboys believe they are close to making a championship run, which is why they were looking at a veteran coach.
And Phillips has a winning record as a head man. He is 48-39 in previous stints with the Saints, Denver, Buffalo and Atlanta.
He has led his teams to the playoff three times and is winless in those wildcard games.
Phillips’ most successful run was in Buffalo where he had a 29-19 record in three years and led the Bills to the playoffs twice. His tenure there was overshadowed by a 1999 wildcard playoff loss to the Titans on the now infamous Music City Miracle kickoff return for a touchdown on the final play of the game. He was fired the following season.
Other coaches who interviewed were former Cowboys receivers coach Todd Haley, Cowboys secondary coach Todd Bowles, Cowboys offensive line coach Tony Sparano, Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, 49ers linebackers coach Mike Singletary, Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Colts assistant head coach/quarterbacks Jim Caldwell.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
After the second-longest and most exhaustive search in Cowboys history, owner Jerry Jones has found his man.
Former Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips flew from San Diego to Dallas late Wednesday night and is working out contract details to become the seventh coach in Cowboys history.
A formal announcement is expected later Thursday.
Phillips, 60, emerged from a group of 10 candidates -- the most ever interviewed for the Cowboys job.
In the end, he edged out 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who served a similar role with the Cowboys on the 1992 and 1993 Super Bowl title teams and was considered the favorite for the position after Bill Parcells' retirement Jan. 22.
Turner had hoped his close relationship with the Jones family and familiarity with organization would make a difference -- especially because Jones was seeking a coach with whom he could be comfortable and someone he could have fun with after four years with the grumpy Parcells.
The laidback nature of Phillips, a native Texan and son of former Oilers coach Bum Phillips, proved to be good enough for Jones.
Phillips had previous successful experiences as a head coach with Buffalo, Denver, New Orleans and Atlanta and his expertise with the 3-4 defense. The Cowboys made the switch to the 3-4 two years ago and have spent considerable resources drafting and signing players to play the defense. Jones did not want to change schemes.
Considering that the continued development of Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo was a key factor in the coaching search, the choice of Phillips also means that the Jones is comfortable with former Cowboys backup quarterback and recent hire Jason Garrett running the offense.
Garrett has been coaching only two years -- as quarterbacks coach of the Dolphins. But he spent 12 years in the league as a backup, including seven behind Hall-of-Famer Troy Aikman in Dallas.
Jones believes Garrett is one of the league’s bright offensive minds and sees him as a potential head coach one day. Garrett was initially interviewed for the head coaching job, but two days later he joined the staff as offensive coordinator.
Turner has a strong relationship with Garrett and would have been a willing tutor. But there is no question who would have been in charge of the offense in that scenario. With Phillips as coach, Garrett is in complete charge of the offense while being prepped to become the team’s next head coach.
Phillips’ age and experience suggests that he won’t have a long tenure in Dallas.
But that doesn’t mean the Cowboys aren’t hoping it will be a successful one.
After going 9-7 and losing in the wildcard playoffs, the Cowboys believe they are close to making a championship run, which is why they were looking at a veteran coach.
And Phillips has a winning record as a head man. He is 48-39 in previous stints with the Saints, Denver, Buffalo and Atlanta.
He has led his teams to the playoff three times and is winless in those wildcard games.
Phillips’ most successful run was in Buffalo where he had a 29-19 record in three years and led the Bills to the playoffs twice. His tenure there was overshadowed by a 1999 wildcard playoff loss to the Titans on the now infamous Music City Miracle kickoff return for a touchdown on the final play of the game. He was fired the following season.
Other coaches who interviewed were former Cowboys receivers coach Todd Haley, Cowboys secondary coach Todd Bowles, Cowboys offensive line coach Tony Sparano, Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, 49ers linebackers coach Mike Singletary, Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Colts assistant head coach/quarterbacks Jim Caldwell.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:46 AM
<< Home