Three Things to Know about Rams DC Wade PhillipsBy Myles Simmons
New head coach Sean McVay’s staff is beginning to fill out, as Wade Phillips was officially named the Rams' defensive coordinator on Thursday. Here are a few nuggets to know about one of the best defensive coaches in the league.
1) He’s been coaching longer than McVay has been alive
For all that’s been made about McVay’s age as the youngest head coach in NFL history, Phillips comes in at the opposite end of the spectrum, having coached in the league since 1976 — 10 years before McVay was even born. He’s been a full-time head coach three times — Broncos from 1993-1994, Bills from 1998-2000, and Cowboys from 2004-2006 — compiling a 79-57 record with those three teams. He’s also been an interim head coach thrice — New Orleans in 1985, Atlanta in 2003, and Houston in 2013. In all, Phillips has 34 years of experience as either a head coach or defensive coordinator.
Through his many years of coaching, Phillips has been a part of 20 top-10 defenses, including a pair at his latest stop, the 2015 and 2016 seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Broncos. Denver finished No. 1 in total yards and No. 4 in points allowed in 2015, en route to a Super Bowl 50 championship. And despite missing the playoffs in 2016, the Broncos still ranked No. 4 in both total yards and points allowed. Phillips’ passing defense in particular was outstanding, surrendering only 185.8 yards per game. Houston finished No. 2 at 201.6 yards per game.
Phillips’ wealth of experience will be invaluable for McVay and the entire Rams organization.
2) His system is not simply "three down linemen, four linebackers"
Aside from his reputation for building strong defenses, Phillips has also used a system with three down linemen for most of his career, including with the Broncos. But if you’re familiar with the Rams’ defense — aside from select passing situations — they used four down linemen for all of the previous coaching staff’s tenure.
With Aaron Donald widely regarded as one of the best three-technique defensive tackles in football, it’s fair for fans to maybe have some reservations as to the way Phillips might scheme Los Angeles’ defense. But Phillips has said in the past that his scheme is not quite as simple as just a standard 3-4.
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