Phillips earns his first Super Bowl title

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

Wade Phillips stood at the podium, pumped his right hand in the air and screamed: “Yes!”

Son of Bum is a champion.

Phillips’ smothering defense shut down Cam Newton and the Denver Broncos beat the Panthers 24-10 to give Peyton Manning his second Super Bowl title Sunday.

They wouldn’t have done it without Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and the rest of Phillips’ D.

“We were underdogs,” Phillips said. “They said we can’t stop this quarterback or that quarterback, so it’s real gratifying.”

The 68-year-old Phillips was out of football last year before returning to Denver as coach Gary Kubiak’s defensive coordinator.

“From unemployed to Super Bowl is good. From unemployed to winning the Super Bowl is even better,” Phillips said.

Phillips learned defense from his dad, Bum Phillips, who led the Houston Oilers in the ‘70s. Bum Phillips was 82-77 coaching the Oilers and New Orleans, but never won a Super Bowl. His Oilers couldn’t get past the Pittsburgh Steelers’ dynasty.

“He would be glad we kicked the door down,” Phillips said, referring to one of his father’s famous quotes. Bum Phillips passed away in 2013.

The Broncos were No. 1 in yards allowed, passing yards allowed and sacks in the regular season. Then they beat Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and the NFL MVP in the postseason.

“You have to say this is a special, all-time defense,” said Phillips, who was The Associated Press Assistant Coach of the Year.