Skip to main content
Clear icon
68º

Former Houston Texans coach Wade Phillips among head coaches selected for XFL’s return in 2023

Phillips played at the University of Houston and is the son of famed Houston Oilers legend Bum Phillips

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips makes his way across the field to talk with the media after an NFL football practice Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, in Houston. Phillips will take a medical leave due to a scheduled surgical procedure later this week. He is expected to return later this season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip, Associated Press)

Wade Phillips will be one of the head coaches when the XFL makes its return in 2023, the league announced on Wednesday.

Phillips was one of eight coaches named, with teams still to be determined. The league, slated currently to kick off in February of 2023, is still working out logistics and plans for what they intend to do for teams, cities, and venues.

Recommended Videos



Phillips has coached in numerous capacities for 40 years, including as a head coach for the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys, with a 82-64 overall head coaching record during the regular season over a span of 12 seasons.

Phillips attended the University of Houston, where he played college football, and is also the son of the late Bum Phillips, the head coach loved by many Houstonians for his time leading the “Luv Ya Blue” Houston Oilers.

Shortly after Wednesday’s announcement, Phillips tweeted, “So excited and honored to be picked as an XFL Head Coach. Great that XFL is back and so happy to be back myself!”

Screenshot of Wade Phillips' tweet after the XFL announced he would be one of their 2023 head coaches (Copyright 2022 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Others who were announced Wednesday who will be XFL head coaches in the league’s return, along with Phillips, include Reggie Barlow, Anthony Becht, Terrell Buckley, Jim Haslett, Bob Stoops, Hines Ward and Rod Woodson.

The XFL first came to the world in 2001, shut down after that season, came back in 2020, then shut down that year and filed for bankruptcy, citing the pandemic as the main reason. The league was sold later that year to a partnership including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Johnson was a part of Wednesday’s broadcast announcement for the new head coaches.

Earlier this week, on Monday, the XFL announced an exclusive partnership with the NFL Alumni Academy to help develop players for its 2023 return.


About the Author
Howard Chen headshot

Born in Canada but raised in Houston, Howard joined KPRC 2 in 2021 after five years at ESPN. Before that, Howard was a reporter on Houston Rockets and Houston Astros game broadcasts. Among the events that Howard has covered on site: the NBA bubble and the Basketball Hall of Fame inductions for both Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. He's H-town proud!

Loading...