The Tennessee Titans are adding the names of former coaches Bum Phillips and Jeff Fisher as well as ex-general manager Floyd Reese to their Ring of Honor at Nissan Stadium.
“I am so excited to recognize these important figures in our team’s history,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said. “Each had a significant hand in the success of their eras.”
Phillips spent six seasons as head coach of the Houston Oilers (1975-80), who would later become the Tennessee Oilers and then the current Titans. He led the Oilers to consecutive AFC championship games appearances in 1978 and 1979 to highlight a 55-35 regular-season record with the club.
Phillips passed away Oct. 18, 2013, at age 90.
“We’re just deeply honored, certainly as a family, but especially for my dad,” said Bum’s son, Wade Phillips, who followed his father into the NFL head-coaching ranks. “Obviously, it’s a special meaning to our family. We all thought so much of our dad, and of course the times that he was coaching for the Oilers were just special times for all of us. We’re just deeply honored.”
Fisher’s time with the franchise began in Houston and he followed the club to Tennessee in 1997. He succeeded Jack Pardee as head coach in 1994, recorded a franchise-best 142 wins and guided the club to its lone Super Bowl appearance in the 1999 season.
“To be in a position where I took a call from Amy, and shared the conversation with her regarding the organization’s intention to put me into the Ring of Honor was just extraordinary,” Fisher said. “It was an emotional moment for me because it was a reminder of everything that the organization has done for me and my family over the years. It’s just really special.”
Reese spent 21 seasons with the Oilers/Titans (1986-2006) and is the winningest general manager in franchise history with 106 regular-season victories.
“I think the way (Adams Strunk) explained it … this is one of the highest, if not the highest honor, that we could bestow on somebody that’s not in the NFL Hall of Fame,” Reese said.
Phillips will be inducted on Sept. 26 during the Titans’ home game against the Indianapolis Colts. Fisher and Reese will be honored at a game yet to be announced.
The trio will join Bud Adams, Elvin Bethea, George Blanda, Robert Brazile, Earl Campbell, Eddie George, Mike Holovak, Ken Houston, Bruce Matthews, Steve McNair, Warren Moon, Mike Munchak, Jim Norton and Frank Wycheck in the Titans’ Ring of Honor.
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–Field Level Media