Wade Phillips will do what he father would have wanted him to do: coach. So on Sunday, Phillips will be on the sideline when the Houston Texans face the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bum Phillips died Friday at age 90, best remembered for his successful but unfulfilled seasons at coach of the Houston Oilers. Wade, his son, is defensive coordinator for the Texans.
Expect remembrances from the Texans and New Orleans Saints, for whom the elder Phillips coach five seasons.
The Oilers became the Tennessee Titans, with a stopover in Memphis before landing in Nashville. Bud Adams remains the team's owner, and on Saturday he offered his condolences to the Phillips family via his franchise.
"We are very sad to hear of the passing of Bum Phillips. He meant a great deal to this franchise, the NFL and the city of Houston, and he was instrumental to the Oilers during the 'Luv Ya Blue' era.
"Growing up in Texas and working his way up through the Texas football ranks, he was a natural match for our team. Those were such magical years, and his leadership and personality helped our team rise to the top. He became an iconic figure on our sideline.
"Our thoughts are with his family, and we know he will be missed."
It was Adams who hired Phillips in 1974 and fired him in 1980. The Titans left Houston after the 1996 season.
"I was blessed to have him as a father and coach," Wade Phillips told the Houston Chronicle. "I got to coach with him for 11 years. He taught me everything I know about coaching. He taught me right and wrong. He taught me to enjoy life."
The Phillips family asked that memorial donations be made to bumphillipscharities.com. Those donations will help finish the home for deaf children that Bum wanted to build before he died, the Chronicle reported.