Wade Phillips said Monday he is interested in the Houston Texans' vacant defensive coordinator job, the *Houston Chronicle* reported.
The Texans fired Frank Bush on Monday, and coach Gary Kubiak said he plans to interview Phillips, who was fired as the Dallas Cowboys' coach after a 1-7 start.
"I will be talking to people (candidates) as soon as I can," Kubiak said. "I’ve known Wade a long time. I’ve competed against him. I have a lot of respect for him. I think it’s safe to say that Wade will be a candidate."
The interest is mutual.
"Yes, I am interested," Phillips said. "I know the owner (Bob McNair) and coach. I like them, and they’re guys I’d like to work for."
In addition to Bush, the Texans fired linebackers coach Johnny Holland, assistant linebackers coach Robert Saleh and defensive backs coach David Gibbs on Monday. Kubiak said the new coordinator would have input into hiring a defensive staff and the scheme.
Phillips is no stranger to Houston, where he played and coached at the Univeristy of Houston and served as an assistant under his father, Bum Phillips, with the Oilers. Bum Phillips said last week that his son wanted to continue coaching in the NFL.
Phillips has an 81-62 record as a head coach with the Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints. He has been a defensive coordinator for the Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Broncos, Bills, Falcons and San Diego Chargers.