Why Wade Phillips is Not Our DC

[DarthMonk]

Wade Phillips Details ‘Strange’ 2015 Redskins Interview
May 3, 2017 11:58 PM By Brian Tinsman

WASHINGTON — After the 2014 season, the Washington Redskins parted ways with defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and conducted an extensive search to find his replacement.

One candidate identified early in the process was former NFL head coach Wade Phillips. The move made sense, as Phillips is an NFL lifer, a strong believer in the 3-4 defensive scheme, and his son, Wes, was the team’s tight ends coach. The Redskins are a legacy organization, sometimes to the fault of nepotism, but Phillips’ track record could put any of those fears to rest.

So, the first week of January 2015, Phillips met with Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden at Redskins Park, in what he described in his new book, Son of Bum: Lessons My Dad Taught Me About Football and Life, as one of the most bizarre interviews of his life.

“My interview with Jay was strong, to say the least. I’d had unusual interviews before–like the one with Marty Schottenheimer that took forever because he asked a million questions about the 3-4 defense–but I had never gone through something quite like this.

“When Jay was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati and I was with the Texans, I faced the Bengals twice in the playoffs, after the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and beat them both times–31-10 and 19-13. I felt he knew my credentials and might have been impressed with the things we were able to do in the previous three games in which we had beaten the Bengals, including one game during the regular season.

Phillips came into the interview excited at the possibility of coaching with his son again and doing it in a system where he had thrived in the past. The team had the personnel to take the next step and Phillips clearly felt optimistic.

Instead:

“We watched a lot of tape of the Texans’ games versus his offense. It seemed to mee a lot of the plays were of when Cincinnati did well. Most of the interview was about that. I thought we should have talked more about philosophy, technique, concepts, and my record, but he was the one interviewing me.”

This sounds like a classic case of “he’s just not that into you.” Or maybe it was a twisted opportunity for Gruden to make an old nemesis squirm. Either way, an uncomfortable time was had by all, Phillips shared his disappointmenet with Wes, who coached with Gruden for another two years, and the team hired Barry as defensive coordinator.

Phillips had a tough time swallowing that as well.

“Joe had been with the Chargers, whose defensive coordinator was John Pagano. John haad been my linebackers coach when I was the defensive coordinator in San Diego, so Joe basically learned my defensive system through John.”

Ouch. That being said, Phillips did acknowledge that he was happy for Barry, “a good, young coach.” Phillips made it clear that he had no other attraction to Washington beyond working with his son.

Now that he has landed with the L.A. Rams as defensive coordinator for Sean McVay, he can look forward to trying to beat Gruden’s offense again.

[RigAr4456]

Interesting read. I'm not sure if I believe W. Phillips account or not. Jay Gruden doesn't really seem like he has a vindictive type personality, but maybe he has had to learn the hard way. I definitely don't think or at least hope he wouldn't pull that B.S. again if the story rings true...

[SkinsJock]

Jay Gruden's ability to interview a potential coaching hire is not an issue
Phillips ability to help an NFL defense is one thing ... working for this franchise is a completely different challenge

Jay Gruden still has to prove that he's a good NFL HC - so far, not so great - but ... then you look at where he's working

[riggofan]

I have mixed feelings about the Wade Phillips thing. On one hand, he's a great DC, and I would LOVED to have seen him here. On the other hand, I sort of understand why he might not have been the ideal choice for a young, first time head coach on this particular team in this city with this owner. We're the absolute worst about always calling for the backup QB. Nobody was going to be calling for Joe Barry to replace Gruden.

Not saying it was the right decision. But I can understand it.

Also, I don't see what Phillips is saying is "weird" about the interview. Here's some film of where your defense didn't work. What's your reaction, what could have been done differently, etc;

Maybe something more was weird. I just didn't quite understand the example he's giving.

[riggofan]

Jay Gruden still has to prove that he's a good NFL HC - so far, not so great - but ... then you look at where he's working

I'll respectfully disagree. First coach since 1997 to coach this team in this godawful organization to back-to-back winning seasons. If that's not "good" its better than six previous coaches managed in this era.

He hasn't proved anything yet, totally agree with you on that. But the ability to have any kind of sustainable success under Snyder is something that should be credited. Think about what you're up against as the coach of this team.

[mastdark81]

Jay Gruden still has to prove that he's a good NFL HC - so far, not so great - but ... then you look at where he's working

I'll respectfully disagree. First coach since 1997 to coach this team in this godawful organization to back-to-back winning seasons. If that's not "good" its better than six previous coaches managed in this era.

He hasn't proved anything yet, totally agree with you on that. But the ability to have any kind of sustainable success under Snyder is something that should be credited. Think about what you're up against as the coach of this team.

Norv Turner did that as well and I don't think any Redskin fan really consider him a good coach. We as fans have to raise the bar. I mean I honestly think he is a middle of the pack coach. I do agree that you may grade him on another scale since he's under Snyder's ownership however lol. Jay just get a C to me. The Redskins scare nobody in the league offensively nor defensively to be honest with you. To me you have to be considered a contender for a Super Bowl at some point, no matter how many average seasons you have. I would put Shanahan's 2012 team over any of Jay's teams we have had, or even Gibbs 2.0 (2005?) team, even though both never had back to back "winning seasons."

But to the topic. I feel the Redskins brass like to hire guys that they are comfortable with or familiar with. They were not familiar with Wade, he has no history with Jay and frankly I think Jay didn't want anyone that could have more experience than himself. I say that because he hired Joe Barry and Sean McVay. On paper no other team would have hired these guys at the time for O and D coordinator. I think that is why everyone felt the McCloughan hire was special. Because even though he did have former ties with Bruce, he was considered one of the best scouting eyes in the league.

[SkinsJock]

I'm possibly a little pissed that he didn't do a better job last season but all things considered he does deserve some credit

to be fair, I'm not sure that a good NFL HC would do better, working here for these 2 clueless bozos

[mastdark81]

I'm possibly a little pissed that he didn't do a better job last season but all things considered he does deserve some credit

to be fair, I'm not sure that a good NFL HC would do better, working here for these 2 clueless bozos

I give him alot of credit on how Jay's handled the Kirk situation. Kirk went from Grossman 2.0 to a solid guy. He was patient with him and took a chance on him and the patience worked. Slow fed him and until Cousins confidence was back up. Cousins also improved under Jay in alot of ways. I don't know if it was just natural experience or he was going to get there anyway with time but I will give Jay that credit.

He still have alot of flaws as well, however. Still do not have the necessary discipline, cannot assess the proper starters with consistency (some guys that are on bench be clearly better than starters), doesn't emphasize run game enough..a model all successful coaches stress in practice. Poor clock management, not alot of innovation. And just my personal opinion he doesn't have a strong work ethic.

Whats good about him is he has a good playbook. He can relate to players well and easy to talk to. Honest to players. Good communicator. But outside of that I do not know what he does well compared to other coaches in the league that set him apart. He is ok but not great at anything except like I say again I think players love him. Sometimes that can be a negative to a degree.

[riggofan]

Norv Turner did that as well

Norv went 9-7 in 1996 and 8-7-1 in 1997. Two years before Snyder bought the team.

and I don't think any Redskin fan really consider him a good coach.

Maybe we have some different opinions on what counts as a "good coach". Norv Turner was 56-40 as HC of the Chargers. Finished first in the AFC West three years and 2d three years. Three playoff years. Three playoff wins. Only one 7-9 season out of six.

I'm not a Norv fan, but come on. With the rest of his 30 year NFL career, that's pretty good by most objective standards.

He's an interesting comparison though, don't you think? Much like Gruden, probably thrived because he knows how to run an offense. I always thought Norv's overall leadership as a HC was his weakness though. Jay seems to have a bit more fire about him than Turner. Hopefully we'll see more of that.

[mastdark81]

Norv Turner did that as well

Norv went 9-7 in 1996 and 8-7-1 in 1997. Two years before Snyder bought the team.

and I don't think any Redskin fan really consider him a good coach.

Maybe we have some different opinions on what counts as a "good coach". Norv Turner was 56-40 as HC of the Chargers. Finished first in the AFC West three years and 2d three years. Three playoff years. Three playoff wins. Only one 7-9 season out of six.

I'm not a Norv fan, but come on. With the rest of his 30 year NFL career, that's pretty good by most objective standards.

He's an interesting comparison though, don't you think? Much like Gruden, probably thrived because he knows how to run an offense. I always thought Norv's overall leadership as a HC was his weakness though. Jay seems to have a bit more fire about him than Turner. Hopefully we'll see more of that.

I think to compare the two means we don't have a coach good enough to win a Super Bowl. Only thing I can say is Jay is young, I don't know his learning curve or how much he improves or does coaching really significantly improve.

We probably can both can agree that under the current ownership it is tough for any coach with constant change and no clear direction on how they want to do things.

[riggofan]

I think to compare the two means we don't have a coach good enough to win a Super Bowl. Only thing I can say is Jay is young, I don't know his learning curve or how much he improves or does coaching really significantly improve.

Yeah, I think both of those are fair statements. If he can't show the ability to be more than a talented offensive coach, there's definitely a ceiling. Jury is still out on that IMO. Showing the ability to improve the defense this year would be a nice step. I don't expect him to X and O his way out of it, but its his responsibility to put the right guys in charge and set the direction.

We probably can both can agree that under the current ownership it is tough for any coach with constant change and no clear direction on how they want to do things.

There's no doubt about it.

[riggofan]

(some guys that are on bench be clearly better than starters)

Thought this was an odd statement btw. Some of this is subjective, but the competition on this team is something that I think has really improved over the past few years. We've had a long history of the "name" guys winning all of the jobs, young guys never getting a chance to compete, being too slow to move on from older players.

Ask Matt Jones how that's working out. Chris Baker was a fairly popular guy. Not to mention RG3.

[Irn-Bru]

What could have been. Oh well. Though I'd like to have heard Gruden's side of the story . . . Phillips' description doesn't really fit the guy we've come to know.

[oj]

Jay seems to have a bit more fire about him than Turner. Hopefully we'll see more of that.[/quote]

I wouldn't characterize Gruden as having 'Fire about him'. Quite the opposite, twards the end of most games he has the 'deer in the headlights' look about him and looks just plain lost as if he can't come to terms with what he's seeing. I have never, ever, seem him try to generate some enthieusasm from the benches. A good illustration would be Tomblin vs the Skins last fall. Tomblin has fire.

[riggofan]

I wouldn't characterize Gruden as having 'Fire about him'.

That wouldn't be my characterization of Gruden either. What I wrote was "seems to have a bit more fire about him than Turner".

If you've ever listened to one of those whiny, mealy mouthed Norv Turner post game conferences after a loss, I think you'd agree Gruden has a little more fire to him.

Man, those Norv conferences used to make me want to drink bleach. Freaking awful.

[DarthMonk]

I always thought Norv's overall leadership as a HC was his weakness though.

No doubt. He definitely could not command a room.

Worst record all time for any coach of 200+ games.

Jay was a guaranteed zillionaire so he didn't need to win to get his money. So he hired friends. Looks like an even younger McVay learned from Jay's mistake.

[oj]

I wouldn't characterize Gruden as having 'Fire about him'.

That wouldn't be my characterization of Gruden either. What I wrote was "seems to have a bit more fire about him than Turner".

If you've ever listened to one of those whiny, mealy mouthed Norv Turner post game conferences after a loss, I think you'd agree Gruden has a little more fire to him.

Man, those Norv conferences used to make me want to drink bleach. Freaking awful.

I couldn't agree more, his voice was fingernails on the blackboard. You couldn't hear his message over the delivery. Gruden is a big improvenment.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Listening to a Norv Turner press conference always reminded me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss2hULh ... Adventures

[Countertrey]

I'm possibly a little pissed that he didn't do a better job last season but all things considered he does deserve some credit

to be fair, I'm not sure that a good NFL HC would do better, working here for these 2 clueless bozos

I need to point out that even the greatest coach in Redskins history did not do better... so, the question is... has Jay figured something out? Is there more to him than meets the eye?

[oj]

I'm possibly a little pissed that he didn't do a better job last season but all things considered he does deserve some credit

to be fair, I'm not sure that a good NFL HC would do better, working here for these 2 clueless bozos

I need to point out that even the greatest coach in Redskins history did not do better... so, the question is... has Jay figured something out? Is there more to him than meets the eye?

No. He's as mysterious as a bucket.

[riggofan]

I find the impatience with and disparagement of Gruden very frustrating. It feels like fans believe we can only win by hiring a coach who has already proven himself.

Gruden has already succeeded well beyond any other coach in the Snyder era and way more than he's given credit. Yes, back to back winning seasons was a first, but he's the first coach under Snyder to get a second contract. He's brought sanity and stability at the QB position. Our offense has been a joke for years, now its breaking records. He seems to have some control and authority over the draft, and we've stopped the stupid cycle of blowing up and rebuilding the team every three years.

He's done this working for Dan Snyder, and yet, we'll still get people out there complaining about his clock management at the end of the first half or bitching that he looked shell shocked that first year when the Cowboys hung 44 points on us. You'd probably look a little shell shocked too having to turn that team around.

He's been ok. Maybe this will be his ceiling, I dunno. I don't know why we can't support our homegrown coach though instead of pining for some fantasy retread who doesn't exist.

[oj]

I find the impatience with and disparagement of Gruden very frustrating. It feels like fans believe we can only win by hiring a coach who has already proven himself.

Gruden has already succeeded well beyond any other coach in the Snyder era and way more than he's given credit. Yes, back to back winning seasons was a first, but he's the first coach under Snyder to get a second contract. He's brought sanity and stability at the QB position. Our offense has been a joke for years, now its breaking records. He seems to have some control and authority over the draft, and we've stopped the stupid cycle of blowing up and rebuilding the team every three years.

He's done this working for Dan Snyder, and yet, we'll still get people out there complaining about his clock management at the end of the first half or bitching that he looked shell shocked that first year when the Cowboys hung 44 points on us. You'd probably look a little shell shocked too having to turn that team around.

He's been ok. Maybe this will be his ceiling, I dunno. I don't know why we can't support our homegrown coach though instead of pining for some fantasy retread who doesn't exist.

You're right, I was overly harsh. In reality I think the frustration/indecision/desperation calls we him make are due to the lack of a running game and ball control. We haven't seen him where we have a ground game, I think that is a consieration.

[SkinsJock]

I'm possibly a little pissed that he didn't do a better job last season but all things considered he does deserve some credit. I'm not sure that a good NFL HC would do better

I need to point out that even the greatest coach in Redskins history did not do better... so, the question is... has Jay figured something out? Is there more to him than meets the eye?

the GOAT (B.B) was not a huge success at first either ... This franchise would not be more successful with: a better HC; a better DC; a better OC; a better QB; a better run game; a better group of players ...

Jay Gruden is not a bad HC - he's doing a good (not great) job in a very difficult environment

this is a "team game" and good franchises are consistently good, because, from the top down they have good NFL people - we do not

[riggofan]

You're right, I was overly harsh. In reality I think the frustration/indecision/desperation calls we him make are due to the lack of a running game and ball control. We haven't seen him where we have a ground game, I think that is a consieration.

On the positive side, I've been saying for years that I would be stoked if our roster is ever good enough that we can be complaining about a freaking coach losing a game for us with a bad call or a bad decision or whatever. Are we at that point finally? Let's hope so.

[riggofan]

Looks like an even younger McVay learned from Jay's mistake.

That was a great hire for McVay no doubt about it. I would argue though that the Rams have much more talent on defense for Wade Phillips to work with than we've had the past two years. I don't know what level of interest he really had with the Redskins, but I think he would have been a little crazy to accept that job here.