The Los Angeles Rams announced that they do intend to bring back defensive coordinator Wade Phillips following the team’s disappointing finish in the 2019 NFL season.
There had been plenty of speculation regarding Phillips’ future once the Rams fell short of the playoffs with a 9-7 record. Regardless, the decision to not bring him back still raised questions since it was head coach Sean McVay’s offense that had been the ones that fell vastly short of expectations with their lackluster production.
Phillips and his defense had served as a stabilizing factor since his arrival in McVay’s first years as a head coach. There is no question that having a veteran coach of his caliber on his staff paid huge dividends for the Rams’ resurgence prior to the 2019 campaign.
McVay has since thanked Phillips for his contributions in Los Angeles over the last three seasons and wished him well moving forward, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“Coach Wade has been a veteran voice in heading our defense for the past three seasons,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said in a statement. “His wealth of experience, sound advice, and helpful demeanor has been invaluable to our coaches and players, and also has set an example for me as a head coach and a leader of men. I thank Coach Phillips for his numerous contributions to the Los Angeles Rams and our community, and I wish he, his wife Laurie, and the rest of the Phillips family the best.”
McVay added that he and Phillips have always shared great chemistry since they started working together:
“He’s been great. Even from the very first time that we started working together,” McVay said on Dec. 26. “His experience that he’s had, to be able to draw on. I think our personalities, it’s a good balance – in terms of some of the things where you see just how even-keeled he is, has helped. Like I’ve mentioned in a lot of different ways, he’s always had a great perspective just based on his experience – whether it be as a head coach or as a coordinator, but it’s never pushed on you. He’s always willing to share and has a way that he thinks is the best way to be able to do it, but I’ve never felt like any of that was pushed on you.”
It is undoubtedly encouraging to see that there does not appear to be any bad blood between the two former colleagues. Although it seems they got along rather well, McVay’s comments indicate that it was simply time for a change on defense.
Aside from McVay, Phillips was also well-respected by his players as evidenced by all the support he has received from them on social media. The next defensive coordinator will certainly have some big shoes and high expectations to fill.
Phillips has made it clear that he does not intend on retiring just yet and would like to continue his storied coaching career elsewhere. It is safe to say he will have no problem garnering interest on the market after leading the Rams defense to an improved 2019 campaign while dealing with plenty of turnover to his key starters.
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