LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12 (UPI) — Sean McVay might be young, but the 30-year-old head coach isn’t coming to the Los Angeles Rams empty-handed.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Rams have hired Wade Phillips as its defensive coordinator. Schefter reported Wednesday that if McVay was hired by the Rams, he would hire Phillips to run the defense.
Phillips, 69, was hired by the Broncos in 2015. SiriusXM NFL Radio’s Alex Marvez reported last week that if the Broncos hired former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to be its new head coach, Joseph would not keep Phillips. The Broncos hired Joseph Wednesday.
Phillips was scheduled to interview for the Washington Redskins’ defensive coordinator job Friday, according to NBC Washington.
The Broncos allowed the second-fewest yards and points per game in the AFC this season. The Rams allowed the fourth-fewest yards in the NFC.
Phillips began his NFL coaching career in 1976 as a linebackers coach with the Houston Oilers. He is 82-64 as a head coach. Gregg Williams was the defensive coordinator for the Rams this season, but took the same job with the Cleveland Browns last week.