Third Generation of Football Family
Keith Antigiovanni
Wednesday April 3, 2002
Wesley comes from a long, successful family tree of football coaches. His father Wade Phillips served as Head Coach most recently for the Buffalo Bills (1998-2000) leading the Bills to back-to-back playoff appearances (1998-1999), the Denver Broncos(1993-1994). He led the Broncos to the playoffs in 1993 and served as Defensive Coordinator in the Broncos 1989 Super Bowl season, and for final five games of the 1985 season as interim coach for the New Orleans after his father Bum Phillips resigned during that year. Wade was recently hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their Defensive Coordinator where he rejoins Dan Reeves. Bum Phillips, of course coached the Houston Oilers from 1975 through 1980, leading the Oilers to five winning seasons, three straight playoff appearances and two AFC Championship games. Bum moved on to New Orleans(1981-1985) leading the Saints to a franchise best record at that time in 1983(8-8).
In addition to his football talents Wesley also excelled in basketball while attending Williamsville High School in New York. He earned letters in both football and basketball. He was also named team MVP in basketball. Going from the college ranks of outdoor football to the professional indoor game presents a new challenge for young Phillips. "It seems like a quarterbacks league with the high scoring and passing numbers. The biggest difference that I`ve noticed between Arena football and outdoor football is that Arena is much more of a quick passing game. You can’t hesitate, you need to get rid of the ball quickly. It’s an excellent chance to tune up your skills. I`m really looking forward to playing," He said.
"He`s big (6`3" 215) and has a very strong arm. I was impressed how quickly he picked things up at the tryouts," Riptide Head Coach Cree Morris said. Morris also noted that players coming out of college develop at different rates during the transition from college to pro and outdoor to indoor. In that respect Phillips will have to make two transitions. "We`ll be carrying three quarterbacks in camp but for right now the job is wide open," Morris added.
Keith Antigiovanni is a free-lance writer in San Diego, California. He has worked for several local newspapers covering sports, government and business. Keith started writing in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Media Communications from the University of San Diego. Aside from working as a sportswriter he has a side business of providing marketing assistance/research for small businesses and also directs,produces and hosts a regular public access television show on Time-Warner Cable named "San Diego Yesterday". Antigiovanni is also a member of the San Diego Sportswriter Association.
