Wade Phillips

Harold Wade Phillips was born on June 21, 1947, in Orange, Texas. He attended Port Neches–Groves High School before enrolling at the University of Houston, where he was a three-year starter as a linebacker from 1966 to 1968. Phillips held the university record for career assisted tackles (228) for 43 years, until 2011. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Houston in 1969, followed by a stint as defensive coordinator at Lutcher Stark High School from 1970 to 1972. His early collegiate coaching experience included roles as linebackers coach at Oklahoma State University (1973-1974) and defensive line coach at the University of Kansas (1975).

Phillips transitioned to professional football with the Houston Oilers in 1976, serving as linebackers coach and later defensive line coach until 1980. His extensive NFL career saw him hold defensive coordinator positions with the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos (multiple stints), Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams. Across these roles, his defensive schemes consistently produced top-ranked units and numerous award-winning players, including Reggie White, Bryce Paup, Bruce Smith, J. J. Watt, and Aaron Donald, who all won Defensive Player of the Year awards. Additionally, two players under his guidance earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Phillips took on head coaching responsibilities for several NFL teams, including the Denver Broncos (1993-1994), Buffalo Bills (1998-2000), and Dallas Cowboys (2007-2010), and served as interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints (1985), Atlanta Falcons (2003), and Houston Texans (2013). A significant career milestone came in 2015 when, as defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, he earned the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award and contributed to the team’s Super Bowl 50 victory, where defensive player Von Miller was named Super Bowl MVP. More recently, Phillips has continued his head coaching career in spring football, leading the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in 2023 and the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas from 2024 to 2025.