Wade Phillips’ first year in the NFL was in 1976 with the Houston Oilers, and he didn’t win a Super Bowl until 40 years later.
He may only have one title in his career that spans parts of six decades, but he is a legend in NFL circles.
After helping the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019, Phillips did not get any NFL jobs for the 2021 or 2022 seasons.
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Head coach Wade Phillips of the Houston Roughnecks against the Orlando Guardians at TDECU Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Phillips, the head coach of the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, has a theory as to why he isn’t coaching in the NFL.
«I hate to say it, but I think it’s age,» Phillips, 75, said via the New York Post. «It’s hard to beat my record as a coordinator, so there has to be another reason. But it’s okay. I’m happy to be doing what I’m doing.»
The Roughnecks are 2-0 on the season, and it’s Phillips’ first performance as head coach since 2013, when he was the interim head coach of the Houston Texans.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, right, speaks with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 25, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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He was winless in that short stretch, making his Week 1 win with the Roughnecks his first as head coach since 2010 with the Dallas Cowboys.
Phillips won his Super Bowl as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. It was his second stint in that role with the team. He was also the head coach of the Broncos in 1993 and 1994. His son, Wes, is the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.
Wade went 82-64 as the head coach of six teams (three of them on an interim basis), and was sidelined for three Super Bowls.
Wade Phillips of the Los Angeles Rams during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019. (John McCoy/Getty Images)
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Phillips says he’s glad to be back in the sport.
«I’m not mad because I’m not in the NFL,» Wade said. «I’m glad I had a chance.»