Schefter: Sean McVay Would Tap Wade Philips For DC With Rams

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that if the Los Angeles Rams hire Washington Football Team Offensive Coordinator Sean McVay to become their head coach (a prospect that has gained legitimacy today as we have learned he’s the first candidate to attend a second interview for the position), he would first turn to longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips to oversee the defense:

There’s no way to ignore that this would pair McVay’s lack of coaching experience with Phillips’ ridiculously long NFL resume. Wade Phillips, the son of longtime former NFL Head Coach Bum Phillips, has been in NFL coaching circles since 1976. Wade latched on to his fathers’ stints in Houston and New Orleans before taking off on his own to Philadelphia where as defensive coordinator he mentored his young DB Coach, Jeff Fisher. Fisher was promoted to DC when Phillips left to become the DC in Denver where he got his first head coaching stint. HC runs in Buffalo and Dallas followed as did DC runs in Buffalo, Atlanta, San Diego, Houston and Denver again in his most recent landing spot.

There is a note of consideration to be laid out here as Phillips has traditionally run a 3-4 defense and the Rams have not. As Rams employee Myles Simmons noted not long ago though, perhaps that might be something Wade cedes to upon arrival:

It’s also worth noting that Wade Phillips’ son is currently a position coach as a tight end coach for Washington...serving under Sean McVay:

Nonetheless, all of that is putting the cart a bit in front of the horse. As it stands, the Rams have a lead candidate for head coach who seemingly has his own lead candidate to run the defense.

Stay tuned.