Wade Phillips, a former NFL head coach, has taken a leave of absence from his role as the head coach of the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas for personal reasons. The UFL announced that offensive coordinator Payton Pardee will step in as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season. Phillips, who led the Brahmas to last year's UFL championship, has had a coaching career spanning over 50 years, starting as a graduate assistant at the University of Houston in 1969.
Throughout his career, Phillips has coached for various NFL teams, including the Broncos, Bills, and Cowboys, as well as the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL and the Brahmas in the UFL. His contributions to the UFL have been acknowledged by league officials, expressing gratitude for his leadership and credibility as a head coach. Phillips' impact and dedication to coaching have earned him respect within the football community. Despite his leave of absence, the UFL has shown support for Phillips and looks forward to his potential return to coaching when he is ready.