Let me tell you a little story about Wade Phillips that, I believe, reveals the type of man he is. We can discuss ‘til the sun explodes his defensive philosophies or whether he believes John Lennon said, ‘I buried Paul’ or any of that stuff.
This is about … the man.
It was late 2006. The project I am, amazingly frustrated to say, still working on was in a fairly early stage. I had run into a road bump and needed a telephone number for an individual Wade knew well. This guy had played for and been a grad assistant to Wade’s daddy, Bum – going back fifty years ago. Used every other avenue I had at my disposal to contact this gentleman. Simply could
NOT find what I needed.
Out of viable options, I decided I needed to try Wade.
Now, mind you, this is when the Chargers were at the tail end of that amazing 14-2 season. Wade, naturally, was the team’s defensive coordinator. Marty Schottenheimer was the head coach. It was the year LaDainian Tomlinson absolutely blew up – rushed for almost 1,900 yards; scored 30+ touchdowns. Phillip Rivers was QB. Antonio Gates, etc. All the big stars were on offense. They were, in fact, the top-rated offense in football.
The defense, on the other hand, had a bunch of lunch-pail types like Igor Olshansky, Shaun Phillips, Donnie Edwards, et al. Defensive tackle Jamal Williams was the team’s only defensive first team all-Pro. Yet, the Chargers, statistically, had the league’s seventh-best defense.
Anyway … late one morning, mid-week, probably late November 2006, I find a number for the Chargers’ offices and place the call. Couple transfers and I’m talking to someone, telling them my story, on and on and on. I tell this young lady I'd never met Wade … but he knows someone I’m looking for on my project.
She tells me the Chargers are on the practice field, but she’d be happy to take my number and message and astrological sign and all that.
I thank her, give her the info and close with, ‘I sure appreciate this. I know Coach Phillips is really busy, but I would only need about ten minutes of his time.’ Figured it couldn't hurt. Telephone call ends.
I figure … the Chargers are the front-runners for a Super Bowl berth.
There isn’t a chance in hades I get a call back from Wade before their season ends. And wouldn’t blame him at all if that's the way it played out. I mean ... come on! "
Who's this guy again?"
Twenty minutes later …
twenty minutes later … my phone rings.
It’s Wade Phillips.
He cannot do enough for me.
Knows exactly where that old barn owl you’re looking for is.
Here’s his number.
Let me tell you a little bit about him and this and that and the other.
We talk for a half hour.
He doesn’t know me from Adam.
End of story.
That, my friends, is the type of
MAN the Los Angeles Rams have just hired as their defensive coordinator. Maybe I'm both worthless and weak ... but I like that. And I like this young kid head coach ... and how straightforward and enthusiastic and smart he is. Swing for the fences.
Wade? Well ... 'til the day he retires, he's the kind of defensive coach who can take his-un and beat your-uns … and can take your-uns and beat his-un. I'll take my chances with that. There's more to football that Xs and Os. There is the proper use of personnel. And relationships. Relationships. He's the king of that. Not because he's a confidence man and schyster. But ... because he's ... a ... good ... and ... trustworthy ... man.
He’s also the kind of man who takes time out of his day to help someone he doesn’t know with a project that he has no involvement in and will not benefit from in any way, shape or form. I think that’s called … a “good man.”
You’ll forgive me, of course, for being a fan of both the coach … and the man.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2017 02:29PM by The_Bad_Guy.
