Shortly after he was fired as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Wade Phillips released a statement thanking the fans, owner Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ players and his assistant coaches.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the fans of the Cowboys and to the entire Jones family for all of the support that we received here in Dallas,” Phillips said in the statement, which was distributed by the Cowboys. “I would also like to thank our coaches and players for their loyalty and dedication.”
Although his players never looked like they were playing very hard for him this season, Phillips had fond words for them on the way out the door.
“I told the team today that I have been proud to be a part of their family, and that will never change,” Phillips said. “I have enjoyed the privilege and responsibility of representing this franchise as its head coach.”
Ultimately, Phillips hopes he’ll be remembered more for the 13-3, 9-7 and 11-5 teams he coached from 2007 to 2009 than for this year’s 1-7 effort.
“I am disappointed in the results of this season to this point, but I am also very proud of what our team and our players accomplished in the previous three years,” Phillips said. “In good times and difficult times, our players stuck together and never lost hold of their belief in each other and the strong team bond that they have shared. Family and coaching football have always defined my life and I will always be grateful for my experiences here with the Dallas Cowboys.”