Cowboys replace Parcells with Phillips
Wade Phillips was hired Thursday to coach the Dallas Cowboys, providing the club with an experienced replacement for Bill Parcells and someone well-versed in the 3-4 defense.
The seventh coach in team history, Phillips is only the second to arrive in Dallas with previous head coaching experience. The other was Parcells, who retired Jan. 22 after four seasons with the Cowboys.
Phillips, defensive coordinator at San Diego the past three seasons, has a 48-42 head coaching record over three seasons with Buffalo, two with Denver and season-ending interim stints with New Orleans and Atlanta. The 59-year-old son of longtime Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips has been in the NFL for 30 of the last 31 seasons.
Wade Phillips joins Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson as the only Texas natives to be in charge of “America’s Team.” Landry and Johnson both won two Super Bowls in Dallas.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones interviewed 10 candidates before hiring his sixth coach since buying the team in 1989. Phillips was interviewed two weeks ago, and his chances of getting the job seemed to be fading when supposed favorite Norv Turner was among five more who followed him.
But Jones chose the defensive-minded Phillips over Turner, a two-time head coach who was the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator for Super Bowl titles after the 1992 and 1993 seasons.
“Tom Rathman, a two-time Super Bowl champion as a player with the San Francisco 49ers, was hired as the Oakland Raiders’ running backs coach. The Raiders also hired Taver Johnson as an assistant defensive line coach. Johnson had been the defensive coordinator at Miami of Ohio.
“Leslie Frazier became the first assistant coach to leave the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, accepting the job as defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings.
“Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel completed the shakeup of his staff, appointing Umberto Leone defensive quality control coach, Mike Sullivan assistant offensive line coach and Frank Verducci offensive assistant.
Johnson pleads guilty
Chicago Bears defensive lineman Terry “Tank” Johnson pleaded guilty to violating probation in a 2005 gun case.
Cook County (Ill.) Judge John Moran denied a request to lift the player’s home confinement, but said Johnson could leave his house to attend practices. Moran delayed sentencing until March 15 so that a presentencing investigation can be done.
“Garrett Reid, the 23-year-old son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, tested positive for heroin after he caused a traffic accident last week that left another motorist injured, Plymouth Meeting, Pa., police said.
No charges have yet been filed.