Phil Snow - Pro Football Rumors

Bears Hire Phil Snow As Defensive Assistant

October 16th, 2023 at 2:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

Since the sudden resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams, the Bears have been shorthanded on the sidelines. Head coach Matt Eberflus recently acknowledged a search was ongoing for an experienced staffer on that side of the ball, and that process has produced a hiring.

Phil Snow has been brought in as a senior defense assistant, Eberflus announced on Monday. The latter will retain play-calling duties, which he took on after Williams stepped away from the organization following what is believed to have been inappropriate activity. Snow will, however, meet the requirements Eberflus laid out regarding his ideal candidate with respect to experience and familiarity with multiple different schemes.

“I think you try to find a guy that has both,” Eberflus said, via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, when asked about having a background in the Bears’ current scheme along with ones not used by the current staff. “Because he has to have some similarities because he knows the scheme but also has different experiences to think outside the box, which brings new, fresh perspective in. So, I think both things are always good.”

Snow, 67, spent the past two-plus seasons as the Panthers’ defensive coordinator. He shared time at the college level with Matt Rhule at both Temple and Baylor, so it came as no surprise that they were hired together in 2020. In response to Rhule’s disappointing run in Carolina, however, he was fired just over one year ago and Snow was also let go. The Panthers posted mediocre numbers in many categories under Snow, though the team did rank second in total defense in 2021.

In the aftermath of Williams’ departure, many pointed to Rod Marinelli as a potential fill-in option for the remainder of the season. As Eberflus mentioned at the start of the search process, though, the 74-year-old is content in retirement and was not a consideration for the position. Snow, who also has NFL experience with the Lions, will instead take on the task of assisting a Bears defense which has plenty of room for improvement.

The 1-5 outfit has fared well against the run so far, allowing less than 90 yards per game on the ground. Overall, however, the team ranks 29th in points (29.3) and 25th in yards (357) yards surrendered per contest. Eberflus’ defensive background has led to criticism of Chicago’s performance with him in charge, though he still has the backing of ownership and the front office. Improvement in the coming weeks would still be welcomed with respect to his job security, of course, and it will be interesting to see if Snow can assist on that front.

Latest On Panthers Coaching Staff

October 11th, 2022 at 9:30pm CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers organization will have an important decision to make when it comes to replacing Matt Rhule, but the team is more than happy with their current arrangement. Steve Wilks took on the role of interim HC, and Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post writes that this was always the team’s plan if things didn’t work out with their now-former head coach.

The Panthers convinced Wilks to step away from his defensive coordinator gig at Missouri to be their defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach. The team made this hiring as a contingency in case they had to move on from Rhule; Wilks was still highly regarded within the organization thanks to his previous stint with the Panthers, and ownership was more than happy to hand him the reigns. Per La Canfora, Wilks will get a legitimate chance to keep the head coaching gig beyond this season.

While Panthers owner David Tepper is more than willing to make a big splash on the sideline, sources tell La Canfora that Sean Payton is not a realistic target. Those sources don’t believe Payton would mesh with Tepper, and the organization’s lack of draft picks and a foundational QB means a quick rebuild is unlikely. Plus, one GM told La Canfora that the Saints would prefer to trade Payton to an AFC squad, and it’s especially unlikely they trade him within the division.

Elsewhere on the coaching staff, Al Holcomb will take over as the defensive play caller. The 51-year-old coach was originally hired as Carolina’s defensive run game coordinator. He’ll replace defensive coordinator Phil Snow, who was fired alongside Rhule. Wilks told Joseph Person of The Athletic that it was his decision to move on from Snow, and Person later wrote that the interim HC had some “philosophical differences” with the DC.

“It was my call and my decision,” Wilks said. “I just felt like I wanted a different approach moving forward … The schemes aren’t gonna change much,” he added. “But I think you have to be creative in the process of what you’re doing. And everything is predicated on who we’re playing.”

Panthers’ Post-Rhule Fallout: Termination, Replacement, Trades

October 10th, 2022 at 10:04pm CST by Ely Allen

The NFL news circuit was set ablaze today when news broke of the firings of Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow. The termination of Rhule was not necessarily a surprise, as he’s been firmly on the hot seat all year and the possibility of firing Rhule had been discussed “well before” today, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, but it did create a newsworthy fallout of information that is of interest to those who follow the sport.

Many have talked about the contract implications of Rhule’s termination, alluding to the millions of dollars still remaining on his contract. While it’s completely applicable to Rhule’s situation, it doesn’t sound like it is a concern to Carolina. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweeted out that “Carolina is on the hook for this season, but the salaries for the ensuing seasons are offset by what his future college job pays him.” Essentially, Rhule will absolutely get his guaranteed money, but the onus won’t be on Carolina to pay it. Whenever Rhule, who is presumed to be a top college coaching candidate for next year, gets another job, his salary from the new school will offset the amount the Panthers owe him.

It was also announced that Panthers defensive passing game coordinator & secondary coach Steve Wilks will sub in as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The defensive-minded former head coach of the Cardinals has apparently already begun to make the team his own. When Panthers owner David Tepper was asked why Snow was fired, he reportedly pointed the finger at Wilks, telling reporters to direct that question to the interim head coach, according to ESPN’s David Newton.

Here are a few more fallout items from today, starting with some ideas on Rhule’s replacement:

The biggest nugget to come out of today concerning Carolina is that, as most NFL executives expected Rhule to lose his job, many in league circles are expecting the Panthers to start dealing veteran assets in an attempt to accrue draft capital that might make the head coaching position more attractive, according to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post. The Panthers currently only hold four draft picks for 2023: first-, second-, fourth-, and fifth-round picks, supporting the idea that trading away veterans could improve their current situation. Trading away veterans with expensive contracts, such as star running back Christian McCaffrey or wide receiver Robbie Anderson, could prove troublesome, according to La Canfora, so the Panthers are reportedly willing to eat some of those salaries in order to facilitate moving those assets. Early reports claimed that the Bills have reached out about McCaffrey and that they did in the offseason, as well, according to Person, but Tom Pelissero of NFL Network clarified that, while every team will be calling about McCaffrey, the Panthers haven’t engaged in any trade talks yet. In addition to McCaffrey and Anderson, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports expects wide receiver D.J. Moore, defensive end Brian Burns, and defensive tackle Derrick Brown to be on the table.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic posed the question today of who might replace Rhule and offered quite a few suggestions. Howe started the list with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn who took the Falcons to the Super Bowl as head coach in 2016. Next, he mentioned 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Ryans interviewed for the Vikings’ job this offseason and was expected to interview for the Raiders’, as well. The 38-year-old has rocketed up coaching boards since retiring as a player in 2015. Another name mentioned was Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon who also interviewed for the Vikings last year, in addition to the Texans and Broncos. Howe went into great detail on every candidate, seeming to list anybody who may be up for a head coaching job in the next few seasons. His list included former NFL head coaches including the retired Sean Payton, Steelers senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach Brian Flores, Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, and former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, as well as the current interim head coach, Wilks. Other serious candidates Howe mentioned were Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, and Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The list essentially devolved into an article about anybody who may make the jump to NFL head coach in the next few seasons, pointing out “wait and see” candidates such as Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell, and Giants defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.
One interesting name that came out of today’s rumors was former Panthers All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly. Joe Person of The Athletic advised that an eye be kept on Kuechly, who remains close with Wilks and new defensive coordinator Al Holcomb, to come back in some capacity. After retiring from a pro scout position last year, Kuechly has been working as an analyst on Panthers radio broadcasts.

Panthers Fire DC Phil Snow

October 10th, 2022 at 2:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule earlier today, but he wasn’t the only member of the team’s staff to receive his walking papers. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow has also been let go, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link).

The 66-year-old has been a longtime lieutenant of Rhule’s. The pair worked together at Temple and Baylor from 2013-19, making it little surprise that they were both hired by the Panthers in 2020. That move marked only the second NFL gig for Snow, who spent four years on the Lions’ sidelines from 2005-08.

During his two full seasons in Carolina, Snow was tasked with overseeing a defense which added a plethora of young pieces. In the 2020 draft, the Panthers notably used each of their selections on defense, a class led by defensive tackle Derrick Brown. That year, the team ranked 18th in the league in both points and yards allowed. Significant improvement was seen last season, as Carolina climbed to second in terms of yardage.

That shifted attention to the offensive side of the ball with respect to improvements in 2022. The Panthers’ inability to find sustained success in the passing game in particular stressed Snow’s unit even more than usual, leading to below-averaging rankings across the board. As a result, Snow will join Rhule in seeking new employment. The same is also true of special teams assistant Ed Foley, who likewise has ties to Rhule (Twitter link via Joe Person of The Athletic).

In the aftermath of Rhule’s dismissal, some wondered if interim HC Steve Wilks would assume defensive play-calling duties. Instead, it appears that responsibility will be given to Al Holcomb, Rapoport tweets. The 51-year-old spent five seasons as the Panther’s linebackers coach before following Wilks to Arizona in 2018. That tandem lasted just one season in the desert, as the team finished with a 3-13 record. Now, though, they will have the opportunity to resume their respective roles as they look to right the ship in Charlotte.

Coaching Notes: Titans, Lions, Browns, Panthers

January 29th, 2020 at 9:50pm CST by Ben Levine

The Titans have fired linebackers coach Tyrone McKenzie, according to veteran reporter Paul Kuharsky (via Twitter). The 2009 third-rounder will be moving on to a role on the Lions staff (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com).

Following an underwhelming playing career, McKenzie joined the Rams as an assistant special teams coach during the 2017 season. He joined the Tennessee coaching staff prior to the 2018 campaign, and he’s been in the role for the past two seasons.

The 45-year-old has plenty of familiarity with Lions head coach Matt Patricia, as Patricia served as the Patriots linebackers coach during McKenzie’s stint as a player in New England. He’ll presumably take on a role with the linebackers in Detroit.

Let’s check out some more coaching notes from around the NFL…

The Browns are hiring Jeff Howard as their passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach, reports NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). Howard, who spent the previous seven seasons with the Vikings organization, has worked with head coach Kevin Stefanski. He’ll be joining a defensive coaching staff that’s expected to be helmed by 49ers defensive backs coach Joe Woods, who’s expected to be named defensive coordinator.
After spending the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Baylor, Phil Snow recently joined the Panthers in the same position. The veteran coach spoke with media members yesterday, and he discussed the role that new Panthers head coach (and former Baylor head coach) Matt Rhule played in his hiring. “Well, I’ve known Coach Rhule since 2001, and our roles have completely changed,” Snow said (via the team’s website). “He was my graduate assistant when I was a defensive coordinator at UCLA, and now I’m working for him. We’ve got great respect for each other, he’s really a good football man, really a good head football coach. Players like him, he gets to know them, but we’ve just had a great relationship. When he took the Carolina job, he asked me if I’d come as a coordinator and I said yes, so here we are.”
We learned yesterday that veteran Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia had decided to retire.

Panthers Hire Phil Snow As DC

January 20th, 2020 at 11:18am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers announced that they have hired Phil Snow as their new defensive coordinator. Snow has spent the last seven years as Rhule’s DC and they’ll continue their partnership in Charlotte.

Snow spent four years as Rhule’s DC at Temple before following him to Baylor, where they’ve spent the last three years together. Rhule, meanwhile, has always made it known that he wanted to put together his own staff at the pro level. Last year, he rejected the Jets’ offer when the club insisted on picking out his assistants for him given his lack of previous NFL experience. He held firm, stayed at Baylor for another year, and wound up with full autonomy (and a deal that could pay up to $70MM) with the Panthers.

Snow comes with some NFL experience, having served as the Lions’ linebackers coach from 2005 to 2008. At the collegiate level, he’s delivered impressive results. In 2019, Baylor ranked 41st in the nation in total defense, and finished second in takeaways (30), third in interceptions (17), eighth in sacks per game (3.31), and fifth in turnover margin (1.08). During Snow’s final year with the Bears, Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch finished fifth in the nation in sacks (13.5) while cornerback Grayland Arnold ranked fifth in interceptions (6).

Panthers Eyeing Phil Snow For DC Role

January 9th, 2020 at 4:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Matt Rhule‘s move from Waco, Texas, to Charlotte will likely result in another coach making the same trip. Rhule has identified Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow for the same role with the Panthers, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets.

This prospect surfaced earlier this week, when it looked like the Giants were the better bet to hire Rhule. But now, it will be the Panthers who will be expected to bring the 64-year-old Baylor DC to head up their defense.

Snow has served as defensive coordinator for eight college programs dating back to the early 1980s. He’s been DC at UCLA, Washington, Arizona State and worked with Rhule as the Temple and Baylor defensive boss. Baylor’s defense ranked 19th nationally this past season. In Rhule’s final season at Temple, in 2016, the Owls’ defense ranked third nationally.

Snow first became a Division I-FBS defensive coordinator with Boise State in 1983. His NFL experience came on Steve Mariucci and Rod Marinelli‘s Lions staffs from 2005-08. He served as Marinelli’s linebackers coach from 2006-08.

In addition to Snow, Rhule has been linked to Lions quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan as his offensive coordinator. That move also is not yet official. Baylor linebackers coach Mike Siravo is also a candidate to join Rhule’s defensive staff in Charlotte, per Person.