On Sunday, the Houston Texans will visit the Ravens in Baltimore, hoping to win a second playoff game. Before then, Texans’ defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will visit with the Buccaneers in Houston, hoping to win a fourth head-coaching job.
But Phillips sounds conflicted regarding his future.
“Well again, you know, my first priority is to be here,” Phillips said of Houston, via comments distributed by the team. “I like it here. I love it here. You know we’ve had such a magical year and we’re going to keep it going so that’s my first choice. You know I may not be their choice either, but I am gonna interview and you know take it from there. As far as distractions, they asked me two weeks ago, they asked permission to talk to me two weeks ago so we knew what was going on for two weeks, but we didn’t let it be a distraction the week before so it won’t be this week.”
(If the request actually came two weeks ago, it means the request came before former coach Raheem Morris was fired.)
Phillips has coached the Broncos, Bills, and Cowboys. He has dramatically transformed the Texans’ defense in only one season.
That said, only the Buccaneers have expressed interest in making him a four-time NFL head coach. Other candidates include four-time NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, former Vikings coach Brad Childress, and Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
UPDATE 9:30 p.m. ET: Phillips has withdrawn his name from consideration. He’ll stay with the Texans.