Updated: Sunday, 08 Jan 2012, 2:29 PM CST
Published : Sunday, 08 Jan 2012, 1:16 PM CST
HOUSTON - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have asked the Houston Texans for permission to interview defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as the Bucs search for a new head coach.
"It's appreciated by me and I believe I'm qualified," Phillips said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. For them to notice that and ask for permission is appreciated."
In his first year as defensive coordinator of the Texans, Phillips' defense is ranked second in the NFL in total defense. Last year the Texans were ranked 30th.
The Texans improvement in yards allowed from last season to this season is the third best in the NFL in the last 41 years.
Those statistics certainly caught the attention of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"They called," Phillips said. "The club notified me and gave them permission to talk. The window is a couple of weeks that you can talk. So I expect to talk to them later this week."
Phillips has been a head coach of the Denver Broncos (two years), Buffalo Bills (three years) and the Dallas Cowboys (four years).
He has also been an interim head coach with the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons.
Phillips' overall record is 82-61.
He said he brings, " Experience, but not just experience, winning experience. I've had very few losing seasons as a head coach or as an assistant coach in the last 20-something years.
"I've been around enough winning that I feel like I know what it takes. My resume as a head coach is pretty strong as far as wins and losses. I believe I'm up above almost every guy that's out there (as candidates) right now."
While Phillips is pleased he is a candidate for the Buccaneers' job, he said he is very happy in his role as the Texans defensive coordinator.
"I don't want to leave. That's the number one thing. I really do not want to leave," Phillips said. "It would have to be the right thing for me to, not only for them, but me also."
That said Phillips would enjoy another shot at being a head coach in the NFL.
"It depends on the situation I think," Phillips said. "You get the right place where you feel good about everything. It goes all the way to the administration to the ownership to the players. I have to know to that a lot of things are in place.
"You want to be successful. That's the key as a head coach. We were 34-22 at Dallas and 29-19 at Buffalo. You want to be where you have a chance for a team to win."
The Texans beat the Cincinnati Bengals in a Wildcard playoff game on Saturday 31-10.
Houston next plays the Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore in the Divisonal playoffs.
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