News came down today that Wade Phillips will miss at least the Carolina game, and most likely the trip to Indianapolis next Thursday due to a “scheduled medical procedure.” It turns out it has something to do with one of his kidneys, and he’s also set to have his gall bladder removed. Will it make a big difference? Sure it will, but the gameplan on Carolina is already installed, and the Colts are the Colts. But yes, Wade’s halftime adjustments will be missed.
The other Wade Phillips story I want to look at is the new speculation that he may be one and done with the Texans if he gets a head coaching offer. I discussed this a bit on Battle Red Radio Tuesday, but let’s actually look at the potential field of suitors:
Jobs already open:
Kansas City – A storied franchise coming off a bad hire. I think they’ll go after a big name. They’ll make a run at Jeff Fisher, and Bill Cowher if he wants back in.
Miami – Miami will ABSOLUTELY want a big splash, big name coach. No chance Wade ends up in Miami.
Jacksonville – This was the first one that I initially thought could be a landing spot for Wade. The Jags are a small market team that has absolutely NO shot at a big name/celebrity coach. However, I do think the new owner will want to make a splash. Since he can’t do it with Fisher, Bill Cowher, etc., I suspect it will be an up-and-comer. Plus, Jags have a decent defense already.
Jobs that will absolutely, or may become available
San Diego – Phillips was already there once, and they are coming off a retread coach already in the soon-to-be-fired Norv Turner.
St. Louis – I could see the Rams having interest in Wade. They have a couple of talented front seven players and um… nothing else.
Dallas – I really think Garrett is a goner. Too many big name coaches for Skeletor not to get in the game. Plus um, Garrett kind of sucks as a coach, and by kind of – I mean COMPLETELY… then again, his defensive coordinator is also doing a bad job. Anyway, obviously Jerry isn’t going to hire Wade again.
Buffalo – Another place Wade has already coached, but another place that has NO CHANCE at a big name coach… and hey, they hired Chan Gailey. CHAN GAILEY.
Tampa Bay – Terrible defense, hired an young up-and-comer and it’s not working out. Might have an interest in a guy like Wade, who is all about quick defensive turnarounds.
Indianapolis – Allegedly Jim Caldwell needs to win one of these last three games to keep his job. So… 0-16 is bad, but 1-15 keeps the job? Was Peyton also in charge of Jim Irsay’s oxygen flow to the brain? GOD the Colts are a joke and I don’t feel the slightest bit bad for them. Irsay may flirt with Wade. I don’t see him as an owner who will necessarily prefer a big-name coach.
Minnesota – I think Leslie Frazier may survive, but if he’s gone I could see Minnesota as a place that may have an interest in Wade. I want to say that their personnel is not a good fit for Wade’s hybrid 3-4, but a lot of people felt that way about the Texans too.
Washington – You bet I think Dan Snyder might jettison Mike Shanahan – but obviously Snyder will be looking for a big time celebrity coach.
Philadelphia – I think Andy Reid is a great football coach, but it seems like the time has finally come for both he and the Eagles to move on. I don’t see Wade as a good fit in Philadelphia, and I don’t think Eagle ownership will have any interest in Wade. I could see Philly chasing Jeff Fisher for sure.
When I really look at it, I just don’t see there being a lot of suitors for Wade – but it only takes ONE (just ask Chan Gailey, who I’m sure forgot what a ringing phone even sounded like before Buffalo made the call).
Wade Phillips sure didn’t want to discuss his health issues. Though they aren’t “life-threatening” issues, they are clearly serious enough for Wade to leave his job for a couple of weeks. It’s not something that could wait another month or however long it takes for Houston’s season to end. That can’t possibly be good news for Wade’s head coaching prospects, seeing as he’ll be 65 when next season starts.
C’mon, Wade, stay. You love it here. You’re a saint in this city. Get well soon. (And stay.)
Dec 15, 2011 at 09:29:20
I hope Coach Phillips stays here in Houston. The city loves him and his dad and he and the Texans are doing something special.
Get well soon!
Dec 15, 2011 at 10:05:09
Wade should get a look but 2 quick points:
- He is 64
- He has had 4 Head Coaching gigs already.
The first point is less important, but worth noting since franchises want to build a consistent regime. Realistically, how much longer is Wade on the sideline?
At some point the ship sails on all coaching candidates. After the debacle in Dallas (I heart alliteration), I do not see Wade getting another shot. Four chances. Four firings. Then again, much like the draft, it only takes one team…
Dec 15, 2011 at 11:00:14
One very possible destination you haven’t listed is the University of Houston. He is an alumni and with the move to the Big East they may want a bigger name like Wade. I’m not sure he wants to go back to college coaching and do the recruiting, but I think it’s worth mentioning in a conversation like this.
Dec 15, 2011 at 11:17:17
Indy might seem attractive with Luck/Manning at QB, but the team is run by idiots who have mis-drafted it into oblivion, and they aren’t going anywhere.
Tampa would be the best spot for Wade if he can get the right QB coach for Freeman: there is talent there to work with.
Dec 15, 2011 at 12:22:43
I dont think he will be going anywhere.He just got here and agreed to a multi year deal .He likes being back home and lets face it its a much better position for him to be in .
Dec 15, 2011 at 15:28:16
Gotta agree with MStory. It is my understanding that Wade’s making good money here, so it would have to be lucrative deal to sway him. His age may cause many teams to balk at shelling out big bucks for him…
Dec 15, 2011 at 15:32:12
Wade has actually said he wants to be a HC again, so it’s not just speculation anymore. But he won’t be able to be too picky. VERY few teams will look for a retread. Most will chase up-and-comers or star coaches.
Dec 15, 2011 at 16:05:41
If you read between the lines, Wade says he’d like to be a head coach someday…this does not necessarily mean next year. I think he will stick around for 2-3 years and then go. Being here gives him a good opportunity to win a title.
Dec 18, 2011 at 00:26:38
Someone should do the dirty work of checking out how fans of these teams are discussing their head coaching search. See what the reactions are to people floating Wade’s name.
Dec 22, 2011 at 15:28:52
I agree with HTown24 in that Wade won’t leave until the Texans start to downturn. Two coaches who took similar approaches are Dick LeBeau and Gregg Williams. Wade will want to cement his legacy as a defensive genius, then he’ll go to a team that has little expectations. The bright spotlights of Dallas were not something he’d want to re-experience