Jerry Jones once proclaimed, during the Jimmy Johnson era, that 500 coaches could win the Super Bowl with the Cowboys talent. Jones proved that point by hiring No. 501, Barry Switzer. (Sure, Switzer eventually won that Super Bowl thanks to the Packers taking out the 49ers in the divisional round, but Jones prematurely ruined the dynasty.)So it should be no surprise that Jones went out and hired Wade Phillips as the next Cowboys coach. Like you thought the guy who brought in Chan Galley and Dave Campo was going to make an inspired choice?
Phillips isn't as bad as you imagine him to be, however. Phillips has had only one losing season in five years as a full-time head coach. Hell, he went to the playoffs twice with a quarterback duo of Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson. But it was the handling of the Flutie/Johnson situation that really soured fans in Buffalo. Phillips rested Flutie for the final week of the 1999 season after a playoff berth was clinched and then started Johnson the following week at Tennessee. The decision looked smart for more than 59 minutes, but the Music City Miracle kind of ruined any goodwill Phillips could have hoped for. An awkward situation turned into a full-blown disaster and Phillips never recovered, finishing 8-8 in his final season as the situation continued to boil.
And now you want to put this guy in charge of Terrell Owens? The guy who couldn't settle a catfight between the Midget and Shane Falco is supposed to reign in the most enigmatic player in the league? Yeah, no problem. But if Bill Parcells couldn't do it, there isn�t really a lot of hope for Phillips. Although it seems that Phillips is just a stop-gap until Jason Garrett is ready to go.
This move, of course, leaves the Chargers without its offensive and defensive coordinators. The only good news is that San Diego can't promote Phillips after Marty retires next year.
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