Phillips to Replace Parcells in Dallas
Friday, February 9, 2007; 4:35 AM
IRVING, Texas -- Twice during his introduction of Wade Phillips as Dallas Cowboys coach, Jerry Jones had to stop and gather himself. The decision was that emotional for the team owner.
"We needed to get it right," Jones said, pausing as tears welled up in his eyes. "In my mind, we got it right."
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Phillips was hired Thursday, providing Dallas with an experienced replacement for Bill Parcells and someone well-versed in the 3-4 defense.
Maybe more significantly for Jones was getting a coach who can win now. The Cowboys haven't won a postseason game in 10 seasons, the longest drought in the history of a team with five Super Bowls.
"This team is best served now, next week, next month and next season by an NFL head coach with experience, that knows the game, that candidly knows the personnel that are playing the game right now," Jones said.
The seventh coach in team history, Phillips is only the second to arrive in Dallas with previous NFL 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.
"It's great to have these cowboy boots back in Texas," said Phillips, showing his boots from the podium, where his father sat to his right. "(Jones) feels like and I feel like I was the best fit for this job. ... I think I can make an immediate impact."
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.
"It's a big job, but I'm ready for it," said Phillips, who got a three-year contract that includes an option for a fourth season.
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 Norv Turner was among five more who followed him.
"It was really tough," Phillips said. "In the game, I have control in a lot of things, like making the calls. In this, I didn't have any control. I'm just hoping."
