Wade Phillips’ defensive prowess may be headed to Los Angeles, but a piece of his heart will forever remain in Broncos Country. Phillips has accepted the defensive coordinator position with the Rams and said his public farewells via Twitter on Friday morning to the Broncos organization, players and fans – which he called “the greatest.”
Thanks to John for bringing me ,the Greatest staff ,To Gary our leader ,to the Best players ever and to The greatest fans. I will miss you
— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) January 13, 2017
Phillips, who coached in Denver from 1989 to 1994, first as defensive coordinator and then as head coach, made the most of his second stint with the Broncos, helping to lead them to a Super Bowl 50 win and 24 wins over his two years as defensive coordinator. During his time under head coach Gary Kubiak, Phillips’ defense ranked fourth in the league in points allowed both years and was the No. 1 overall defense in 2015.
He leaves his world-class defense in good hands, though. Vance Joseph will take the reins as Kubiak’s replacement (the head coach retired at the end of the 2016 season) and defensive backs coach Joe Woods is expected to be promoted to defensive coordinator.
Joseph coached with Kubiak and Phillips from 2011 to 2013 in Houston as a defensive backs coach before a year with Cincinnati in that same position and a year as defensive coordinator with the Dolphins. Miami engineered a 10-6 Wild Card season under Joseph and new head coach (former Broncos offensive coordinator) Adam Gase. Phillips has no reservations that the vaunted “No Fly Zone” defense will maintain its standard of excellence in his absence.
Congrats to my friend Vance Great hire by John Elway.Don't worry about the D. Vance knows what I know ,Plus what he knows about Defense !
— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) January 13, 2017
Phillips will join a Rams staff led by 30-year-old head coach Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in NFL history. It’s an interesting marriage of young and old, as Phillips has more years NFL coaching experience than McVay has been alive.
Fans in Denver are disappointed in Phillips’ departure – they even went so far as to start a #KeepWade campaign on social media amidst the news that he might not be retained as part of Joseph’s new staff – but they can take solace in knowing that their beloved coach considers Joseph a great hire and that he considers them the greatest fans in the NFL.
