Texans, O’Brien part with Phillips
Wade Phillips was fired as the Houston Texans’ defensive coordinator Saturday, a day after Bill O’Brien was hired as the team’s head coach.
“Thanks to McNair family and great Texan fans and most all our players,” Phillips tweeted. “It was wonderful being home. I wish the best to all.”
Phillips was the interim head coach for the final three games of the season after Gary Kubiak was fired and also directed the team for a game after Kubiak had a mini-stroke Nov. 3 at halftime against Indianapolis. Houston lost its last 14 games to finish an NFL-worst 2-14 this season.
The 66-year-old Phillips, the son of late NFL coach Bum Phillips, spent three years with the Texans. He was the head coach in Denver, Buffalo and Dallas and served as interim head coach with Atlanta and New Orleans.
Bucs hire Tedford
Former California coach Jeff Tedford has been hired as offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New Bucs coach Lovie Smith made the announcement, saying Tedford has a “successful and proven track record as a teacher and developer of young talent.”
Tedford led Cal from 2002-12. During his long coaching career, Tedford has worked with six quarterbacks eventually selected in the first round of the NFL draft, including Aaron Rodgers.
Other notable offensive players who played for him at Cal are running back Marshawn Lynch and wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
Caldwell, Redskins to talk
Jim Caldwell will interview for the Washington Redskins coaching job.
John Wooten of the Fritz Pollard Alliance announced that Caldwell, the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, is scheduled to meet with Redskins general manager Bruce Allen today.
The Fritz Pollard Alliance helps promote the hiring of minority coaches in the NFL.
Caldwell will become the fourth known candidate to interview as the potential replacement for Mike Shanahan.
Allen met with Seattle Seahawks coordinator Darrell Bevell on Tuesday and Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia on Friday. Allen traveled Saturday to interview Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
Allen also plans to interview New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, among others.