3 Oilers to enter Ring of Honor
Three former Oilers — coaches Bum Phillips and Jeff Fisher and linebackers coach/general manager Floyd Reese — will be inducted into the Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor this season, the team announced Wednesday.
Phillips oversaw the Luv Ya Blue era (1978-80) during his six years as head coach, including two AFC Championship Game appearances in 1978 and 1979, both losses at Pittsburgh.
Fisher was the longesttenured and winningest coach in franchise history. He began his career as the Oilers’ defensive coordinator in 1994, was promoted to interim coach that season and finished his career after the 2010 season. He led the Titans to the Super Bowl after the 1999 season.
Reese came to Houston in 1986 as the linebackers coach under Jerry Glanville. He became assistant general manager in 1990 and was promoted to general manager in 1994. His 21-year run with the franchise ended after the 2006 season.
“I am so excited to recognize these important figures in our team’s history,” controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. “Each had a significant hand in the success of their eras.
“Bum was Texas through and through and led us to new heights as the Luv Ya Blue era was born, reaching two AFC Championship Games.”
Phillips will be inducted Sept. 26 as part of the Oilers’ homecoming week. Fisher and Reese will be inducted together at another game to be determined.
“Jeff won more games than any coach in franchise history while also leading our football team through some difficult years as we moved to Tennessee — playing in four different home stadiums over a four-year period,” Adams Strunk said. “His ability to connect with our players and our fans was unmatched, and he too reached two AFC Championship Games and helped take us to our only Super Bowl.
“Floyd was a great position coach for us during our run of success during the run-and-shoot years and then transitioned to the front office, where he found even greater success. He had a great ability to find talent and take chances to find sustained success.”