Former Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips, father of Texan’s Wade Phillips Passes Away
By Josh Davis
Bum Phillips has passed away at his ranch in Goliad, TX at 90 years old. He was a great Texas football legend and father to NFL coach Wade Phillips, who ironically coaches for the new Houston Texans as defensive coordinator.
Friday night, the younger Phillips addressed the situation sullenly. “Bum is gone to Heaven. Loved and will be missed by all — great Dad, Coach, and Christian”
NFL.com has a great tribute article to Bum and gave a great couple lines about the great old Texas native.
"Born Oail Andrew Phillips Jr. in 1923 in Orange, Phillips was a Texas original in his blue jeans, boots and trademark white Stetson — except at the Astrodome or any other dome stadium because he was taught it was disrespectful to wear a hat indoors.“Mama always said that if it can’t rain on you, you’re indoors,” Phillips said."
Bum was the coach of the Houston Oilers when they finally had their day as a franchise. Superstar Earl Campbell was drafted under Phillips and the Oilers made it to two AFC Championship games in his 5 seasons at the helm.
He then went on to coach the Saints from 1881-1885 before he retired.