Wade Phillips to Be Next Cowboys Coach

Former San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will become the Dallas Cowboys head coach, NFL sources confirmed to NFL Network Wednesday night.

Bill Parcells resigned Jan. 22.

Phillips, 59, has been around the NFL block a few times. He was head coach of the Denver Broncos in 1993-94, posting a 16-16 record, and of the Buffalo Bills in 1998-2000, going 29-19. He was also interim coach of the Falcons (2003, 2-1) and Saints (1985, 1-3). His overall coaching record, including playoffs, is 48-42.

He has been Chargers defensive coordinator under Marty Schottenheimer since 2004.

The Cowboys ran a conservative 3-4 scheme under Parcells. Owner Jerry Jones is open to Phillips' aggresive blitzing style. San Diego's defense had 61 sacks and 16 interceptions last season. Dallas had 34 sacks, and was pretty anemic at rushing the passer regardless of thier short-lived playoff appearance.

Jones who interviewed Phillips on Jan. 26, decided to go with the defensive-minded coach over Norv Turner, San Francisco's offensive coordinator, who was considered a finalist for the position.

The move is a surprise to many because of Turner's close connections to the Cowboys. He was the Cowboys' offensive coordinator from 1991-93 and helped form Troy Aikman's Hall-of-Fame career. He was perceived as someone who could develop quarterback Tony Romo.

(AP, NFL.com, Dallas Morning News)