Bills Settle On Phillips Buffalo Assistant, Ex-Denver Coach, To Succeed Levy

Wade Phillips, who helped shape the Buffalo Bills into one of the NFL’s strongest defensive teams, is expected to be hired today as the successor to Marv Levy.

Bills owner Ralph Wilson acknowledged Sunday that a news conference has been scheduled for today. Wilson refused to elaborate but would not deny that the coaching job belongs to Phillips, the defensive coordinator.

Wilson met with Phillips on Friday at the owner’s winter home in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Buffalo News reported Sunday that Phillips accepted the job during a phone conversation on Saturday.

Phillips, 50, has been considered the top candidate since Levy retired last week as the most victorious coach in team history.

Phillips was the head coach for two years in Denver before being fired after a 7-9 finish in 1994. He has two years remaining on a contract that pays him more than $400,000 annually as an assistant.