Ex-Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips Returns to Texas Pro Football

Wade Phillips will as soon as once more assume the first headset for a Texas-based skilled soccer group.

Phillips, the previous head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, will function the boss of the Houston group within the upcoming third version of the XFL. The rebooted league, whose possession is now headlined by entertainer Dwayne Johnson and his enterprise accomplice Dany Garcia, positioned Phillips in Houston as a part of a sequence of bulletins regarding its February 2023 kickoff.

Nicknames for the eight groups will likely be unveiled at a later date.

The 75-year-old Phillips spent components of 4 seasons (2007-10) on the Cowboys’ helm, amassing a 35-24 document. Although his tenure resulted in disappointment (turning into the primary Cowboys coach fired in the midst of the season after beginning 1-7 in 2010), Phillips guided the group to a pair of NFC East titles. His 11-win effort in 2009 yielded the Cowboys’ first playoff win (a Wild Card conquer Philadelphia) since 1996. It was additionally his first private playoff win as a head coach, having beforehand earned full-time duties in Denver (1993-94) and Buffalo (1998-2000). 

Phillips earned a Tremendous Bowl ring because the Broncos’ defensive coordinator after the 2015 season. His final teaching expertise got here with the Los Angeles Rams in the identical position (2017-19). Counting three interim stints in New Orleans (1985), Atlanta (2003), and Houston (2013), nobody in NFL historical past has coached extra groups than Phillips, the son of the late Houston Oilers/New Orleans Saints head coach Bum. 

At .607, Phillips owns the second-best successful share in Cowboys historical past behind solely Barry Switzer (.625). The jovial soccer veteran was very happy to level that out when he and his seven compatriots have been showcased at an XFL City Corridor held at Texas Stay! in Arlington. 

Houston was one in all 5 markets the XFL retained from its 2020 model. The group, nicknamed the Roughnecks and coached by June Jones, boasted an undefeated 5-0 document when the league was compelled to droop operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Dallas metroplex will play a big position within the third try at XFL soccer: Arlington was not solely retained among the many eight competing squads (having beforehand hosted the Dallas Renegades through the 2020 version) however will even function the league’s hub by means of 2025, internet hosting preseason and in-week practices whereas groups play their video games in house markets. Choctaw Stadium (previously often known as The Ballpark in Arlington) will host the Dallas-branded group and XFL-themed occasions whereas Northwest ISD Stadium, Southlake Carroll Dragon Stadium, and Vernon Newsom Stadium will function the observe services.

“Arlington is a football-loving metropolis and we’re excited to deepen our roots throughout the neighborhood and strengthen the already devoted fan base right here,” Garcia stated in a press release. “We’re grateful to be working with Mayor (Jim) Ross, Choctaw Stadium, (Choctaw’s unique occasion accomplice) REV Leisure, and different native officers as we make Arlington our League’s new house.”

Bob Stoops, who guided the Renegades to a 2-3 document earlier than the 2020 XFL’s COVID-induced shutdown, will coach the Dallas group. One other Texas-based group will reside in San Antonio’s Alamodome, which beforehand hosted the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Soccer.  

“The XFL has formally landed within the nice soccer state of Texas,” Johnson stated. “Our new Texas Hub will be sure that all of them obtain top-notch coaching and improvement whereas additionally getting a chance to construct particular person manufacturers and shine.”

The unique XFL debuted in 2001 as a three way partnership between the World Wrestling Federation and NBC. It lasted a single full season and obtained detrimental critiques for its wrestling-inspired gimmicks and kayfabe. The 2020 model was a extra grounded try and accomplished half of its ten-week season earlier than the shutdown. 

Different markets retained from the 2020 version embody Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. whereas Las Vegas and Orlando (each of whom partook within the 2001 model) additionally be part of the fold. Los Angeles and New York (who appeared in each prior editions) have been dropped, as was 2020 consultant Tampa Bay.