The XFL will have some notable former NFL players on the field this season, and the sidelines will similarly feature familiar faces. Along with Bob Stoops, Hines Ward, and Rod Woodson, former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is part of the XFL's relaunch, leading the Houston Roughnecks.
It's a brand new challenge for Phillips, who turns 76 in June and wasn't involved in the XFL's 2020 relaunch. He has as much NFL experience as just about any coach alive, with a career spanning from 1976 to 2019, so it's no surprise the XFL was interested in having him lead one of its eight franchises.
The defensive guru could easily have stayed retired at his age, but it's tough to keep a football lifer away from the sport. Plus, the job allows Phillips to stay right at home in Houston.
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Here's a look at Phillips' NFL coaching record as he gets set to coach the Roughnecks.
Wade Phillips coaching record
| Season | Team | W | L | Pct. |
| 1993 | Broncos | 9 | 7 | .563 |
| 1994 | Broncos | 7 | 9 | .438 |
| 1998 | Bills | 10 | 6 | .625 |
| 1999 | Bills | 11 | 5 | .688 |
| 2000 | Bills | 8 | 8 | .500 |
| 2007 | Cowboys | 13 | 3 | .813 |
| 2008 | Cowboys | 9 | 7 | .563 |
| 2009 | Cowboys | 11 | 5 | .688 |
| 2010 | Cowboys | 1 | 7 | .125 |
| Total | 79 | 57 | .581 |
In addition to three full-time head coaching gigs, Phillips also served as an interim head coach with three separate teams. He filled in for four games with the Saints in 1985, three games with the Falcons in 2003, and three games with the Texans in 2013.
Phillips' coaching career includes much more than his head coaching stints, though.
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Wade Phillips coaching timeline
Phillips is arguably remembered more for his work as a defensive coordinator than his head coaching stints. He coached in the NFL during five different decades.
Below is a complete look at Phillips' long college and NFL coaching career.
- 1969: Houston (Graduate assistant)
- 1973-1974: Oklahoma State (LBs coach)
- 1975: Kansas (DL coach)
- 1976-1980: Houston Oilers (DL coach)
- 1981-1985: New Orleans Saints (Defensive coordinator)
- 1986-1988: Philadelphia Eagles (Defensive coordinator)
- 1989-1992: Denver Broncos (Defensive coordinator)
- 1993-1994: Denver Broncos (Head coach)
- 1995-1997: Buffalo Bills (Defensive coordinator)
- 1998-2000: Buffalo Bills (Defensive coordinator)
- 2002-2003: Atlanta Falcons (Defensive coordinator)
- 2004-2006: San Diego Chargers (Defensive coordinator)
- 2007-2010: Dallas Cowboys (Head coach)
- 2011-2013: Houston Texans (Defensive coordinator)
- 2015-2016: Denver Broncos (Defensive coordinator)
- 2017-2019: Los Angeles Rams (Defensive coordinator)
- 2023: Houston Roughnecks (Head coach/GM)
Phillips finally won a Super Bowl when the Broncos defeated the Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Denver won on the back of Phillips' historic defense, which led the league in opponent yards per game and harassed Tom Brady and Cam Newton to seal a title.
Phillips would return to the Super Bowl with the Rams three years later, but Los Angeles would fall short despite holding Tom Brady and the Patriots to 13 points.
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While the NFL turns toward offensive-minded head coaches, Phillips joins Stoops, Woodson, Jim Haslett, and Terrell Buckley as XFL head coaches with a defensive background. No one's defensive background is as remarkable as Phillips, so the Roughnecks appear to be in good hands.