The Buccaneers plane was probably gassed and ready for Texas but hopefully the word came out before it reached cruising altitude. According to multiple sources Wade Phillips has taken himself out of the running for the Buccaneers head-coaching search. Philips had stated earlier he was happy in Houston and seemed to be having second thoughts.

“Well again, you know, my first priority is to be here,” Phillips said of Houston, via comments distributed by the team.  “I like it here.  I love it here.  You know we’ve had such a magical year and we’re going to keep it going so that’s my first choice.  You know I may not be their choice either, but I am going interview and you know take it from there. 

“As far as distractions, they asked me two weeks ago, they asked permission to talk to me two weeks ago so we knew what was going on for two weeks, but we didn’t let it be a distraction the week before so it won’t be this week.”

So far the Buccaneers have interviewed former Packers head coach Mike Sherman, Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, former Vikings head coach Brad Childress and former Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer. Tampa Bay may have more candidates on their radar including Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and possibly Brian Billick.