Phillips, Stewart have ties that bind
By CALVIN WATKINS
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – The relationship between Cowboys coach Wade Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart began in a meeting room.
In 2004, the newly hired defensive coaches met with San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer.
San Diego was coming off a 4-12 season, and Schottenheimer wanted things to change.
Their jobs were on the line if the defense didn't improve, Schottenheimer told them.
"Stew and I looked at each other and said, 'Whoa, what did we come in to?' " Phillips said. "We kind of stuck together from there."
In three seasons, Phillips forged one of the best defenses in the game as defensive coordinator. The Chargers improved in total defense, moving from 18th in 2004 to 10th last season. San Diego registered a league-high 61 sacks in 2006.
Stewart, the secondary coach, was making an impact as well.
The season before Stewart arrived, the Chargers allowed 36 passing touchdowns. But in 2004 and 2005, San Diego allowed a combined 39.
Stewart bought into Phillips' 3-4 defensive scheme, which was similar to Dom Capers' alignment in Houston. In San Diego, Stewart helped the secondary read the quarterback and cover spots on the field while the linebackers blitzed. He also pumped up the players in meetings and on the sidelines.
"Brian is really good at keeping us, as a unit, into practice," outside linebacker Greg Ellis said. "He and Wade have a good relationship that has extended beyond football."
When Jerry Jones was looking for a head coach this off-season, he wanted to improve his defense.
And when Phillips needed someone to help teach the wrinkles of his 3-4 defense, he hired Stewart.
"As veteran players, we understand their relationship," inside linebacker Bradie James said. "Those two are almost the same. Wade can be a fireballer; his demeanor is real chill sometimes, but he can get fired up. Brian is more fired up, and as a defensive player you have to like that."
VERNON BRYANT / DMN
Wade Phillips (right) has become a mentor to defensive coordinator Brian Stewart (left), who hopes to be a head coach one day.
The bonding has extended to the home. The Phillips and Stewart families know each other well.
"We talked a lot of heart-to-heart kind of things," Phillips said.
And when Phillips' son, Wes, was recruiting for Baylor, he called Stewart, who knew junior college coaches on the West Coast.
Stewart, 42, calls the 60-year-old Phillips dad, and despite the age difference, they relate on different levels.
"You can talk to him about everything," Stewart said. "He's been exposed to a lot of things, as a person of his generation, not his age. He's not judgmental, and he's very easy to talk to."
Stewart's goal is to become a head coach one day, and Phillips has become a mentor to him. They speak daily about the constant changes in the NFL.
"They have a special bond," said Chargers offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon. "To me, Wade has a good likeness for Brian. It's good for Brian to have a mentor in Wade, because he knows so much about the game. He's a great asset for Brian."
But there have been growing pains for each in Dallas.
In late July, during a special teams drill, Stewart told the defensive linemen to run sprints without stretching. Nickel defensive end Jason Hatcher pulled a hamstring.
He's been out nearly two weeks but expects to return next week.
Losing Hatcher bothered Jones, but he understands injuries happen and isn't angry with Stewart.
Stewart also boasted the Cowboys will have the best defense in the NFL. He has since softened his stance, but he believes in the talent the Cowboys have.
And Phillips was accused of running a soft training camp much different from the one former coach Bill Parcells ran. But it's like those several other teams are running, with days off for veterans and less hard hitting. Each said he is still learning about the team and himself.
As Phillips and Stewart begin the process of making an impact on the Cowboys, they look back fondly on that meeting in San Diego.
"We both got an understanding of things, being together in San Diego for three years," Stewart said. "I understand how he wants things, and he saw I had an understanding of that, and it helped our relationship."
The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – The relationship between Cowboys coach Wade Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart began in a meeting room.
In 2004, the newly hired defensive coaches met with San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer.
San Diego was coming off a 4-12 season, and Schottenheimer wanted things to change.
Their jobs were on the line if the defense didn't improve, Schottenheimer told them.
"Stew and I looked at each other and said, 'Whoa, what did we come in to?' " Phillips said. "We kind of stuck together from there."
In three seasons, Phillips forged one of the best defenses in the game as defensive coordinator. The Chargers improved in total defense, moving from 18th in 2004 to 10th last season. San Diego registered a league-high 61 sacks in 2006.
Stewart, the secondary coach, was making an impact as well.
The season before Stewart arrived, the Chargers allowed 36 passing touchdowns. But in 2004 and 2005, San Diego allowed a combined 39.
Stewart bought into Phillips' 3-4 defensive scheme, which was similar to Dom Capers' alignment in Houston. In San Diego, Stewart helped the secondary read the quarterback and cover spots on the field while the linebackers blitzed. He also pumped up the players in meetings and on the sidelines.
"Brian is really good at keeping us, as a unit, into practice," outside linebacker Greg Ellis said. "He and Wade have a good relationship that has extended beyond football."
When Jerry Jones was looking for a head coach this off-season, he wanted to improve his defense.
And when Phillips needed someone to help teach the wrinkles of his 3-4 defense, he hired Stewart.
"As veteran players, we understand their relationship," inside linebacker Bradie James said. "Those two are almost the same. Wade can be a fireballer; his demeanor is real chill sometimes, but he can get fired up. Brian is more fired up, and as a defensive player you have to like that."
VERNON BRYANT / DMN
Wade Phillips (right) has become a mentor to defensive coordinator Brian Stewart (left), who hopes to be a head coach one day.
The bonding has extended to the home. The Phillips and Stewart families know each other well.
"We talked a lot of heart-to-heart kind of things," Phillips said.
And when Phillips' son, Wes, was recruiting for Baylor, he called Stewart, who knew junior college coaches on the West Coast.
Stewart, 42, calls the 60-year-old Phillips dad, and despite the age difference, they relate on different levels.
"You can talk to him about everything," Stewart said. "He's been exposed to a lot of things, as a person of his generation, not his age. He's not judgmental, and he's very easy to talk to."
Stewart's goal is to become a head coach one day, and Phillips has become a mentor to him. They speak daily about the constant changes in the NFL.
"They have a special bond," said Chargers offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon. "To me, Wade has a good likeness for Brian. It's good for Brian to have a mentor in Wade, because he knows so much about the game. He's a great asset for Brian."
But there have been growing pains for each in Dallas.
In late July, during a special teams drill, Stewart told the defensive linemen to run sprints without stretching. Nickel defensive end Jason Hatcher pulled a hamstring.
He's been out nearly two weeks but expects to return next week.
Losing Hatcher bothered Jones, but he understands injuries happen and isn't angry with Stewart.
Stewart also boasted the Cowboys will have the best defense in the NFL. He has since softened his stance, but he believes in the talent the Cowboys have.
And Phillips was accused of running a soft training camp much different from the one former coach Bill Parcells ran. But it's like those several other teams are running, with days off for veterans and less hard hitting. Each said he is still learning about the team and himself.
As Phillips and Stewart begin the process of making an impact on the Cowboys, they look back fondly on that meeting in San Diego.
"We both got an understanding of things, being together in San Diego for three years," Stewart said. "I understand how he wants things, and he saw I had an understanding of that, and it helped our relationship."
posted by The Gryphon at 10:33 AM
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