Phillips, Buckley among XFL coaches for 2023
The XFL on Wednesday announced its head coaches for 2023, and two of them have ties to the Broncos.
Former Denver head coach and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and former starting cornerback Terrell Buckley were among the eight names announced. The others include Reggie Barlow, Anthony Becht, Jim Haslett, Bob Stoops, Hines Ward and Rod Woodson.
“I have experienced first-hand the positive influence and impact that coaches can have on a player’s life, and with our group of smart, accomplished and motivating head coaches, I expect nothing less,” XFL co-owner Dwayne Johnson said in a news release. “Not only will these coaches be mentors to our players, but they will be a big part of the cities in which we will operate.”
Phillips, 74, was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator from 1989-92 and again from 2015-16. He was the team’s head coach during the 1993 and ’94 seasons, compiling a 16-16 record. Over his career in the NFL, he had an 82-64 record as head coach.
“So excited and honored to be picked as an XFL Head Coach. Great that XFL is back and so happy to be back myself!” Phillips tweeted Wednesday morning.
Buckley, 50, was Denver’s starting cornerback during the 2000 season. He was tied for seventh in the NFL in interceptions (6) that season, including one returned for a touchdown. In 14 seasons in the league he made stops with the Packers, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets and Giants.
The XFL will begin its next season in February 2023. This will be the third iteration of the league founded by World Wrestling Entertainment chairman and CEO Vince Mcmahon.
The league played its inaugural season in 2001 before it folded after one year. It was resurrected for another season in 2020, but was shut down midway through due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The league was sold in August 2020 to Johnson, Garcia and Redbird Capital Partners.