November Monthly Letter From Tommy Maxwell, Executive Director of Coaches Outreach: I suppose you know about the death of Coach Bum Phillips, Friday a week ago. I was visiting with a former teammate and player for Coach when he was in San Diego, Carl Mauck. Carl also coached with Bum for many years and now lives in Argyle, Texas. He loved Coach Phillips as we all did. He actually was able to see Coach the Wednesday before he died on Friday. He told me that Coach was interviewed by a radio station while he was with him. He said he would sidestep all the questions about himself and talked only about his daughter and son-in-law’s ministry to the deaf (where his ranch is now a school and retreat center) and how important marriage retreats are for couples. Coach was the real thing. He was a true Texan, completely down-to-earth but a lot smarter than you and I, at least when it came to knowing football and how to handle players. Oh, man, and the stories he could tell. That quick wit with all the old quips and quotes could keep you laughing forever. Man, he was quick witted. I’ve never seen anything like it. When Earl Campbell was a rookie for the Oilers he had to run a mile on the first day of practice. He ran two laps and stopped. All the press came running up to Bum and asking him, “What’s wrong with Earl?” “Is he sick?” “Can he play?” “Is he that out of shape?” Coach Phillips calmly looked at them and said, “Boys, if it is third down and a mile to go, we’ll probably not let him run. Is that great or what!? One day in Huntsville, Texas (training camp) about three days in to two-a-days, after about 20 minutes of practice, he called us all up. That usually meant a chew out with most coaches, but not Bum. He looked around at all of us and said, “Boys, I don’t know about you, but I am tired. I think I’ll go take a nap and I suggest you do the same.” Then he just turned and walked off the field. We stood there looking and the other coaches just smiled at us and walked off with him. There is only ONE coach who could pull that off. We looked like a wild bunch of charging Indians heading to the locker room. From that point on, we worked our butts off for him. Something is wrong with you if you don’t love and respect Coach Phillips. When we were reacquainted after he said he would come to speak at our banquet in January 2007, I asked him about that incident. I said, “Coach, you must have had a reason for that, I know you didn’t go take a nap.” He said, “Well, sometimes you reach a point of diminishing returns and you guys were leg weary. It was so hot in Huntsville that summer I guess I just figured you needed a little break.” I could go on and on with Bum Phillips stories and he WILL be missed. Men like Coach Phillips are rare indeed. There won’t be another one like him. As I said, I called him to come and speak at our banquet. Coach answered the phone. That kind of set me back and I introduced myself and asked if he remembered me. “Oh, yea, Tommy, I remember you.” He would have said that even if he didn’t. I was explaining CO to him and before I went too far he said, “Let me get Debbie on the phone, she loves Bible studies.” I had to smile at that after I mentioned that Bible studies were a part of what we do. Debbie came to the phone and I explained to her the ministry and why I had called. She was informing me about Bum’s recent bypass surgery and was sharing with me about his need for rest, etc. I didn’t realize that Bum was on another phone and he piped up and said, “Debbie…Debbie!” Debbie said, “Yes, Bum, I hear you.” Coach said, “Debbie, I am not dead yet and I can still talk! I want to speak at that banquet!” Then Debbie said, “OK Bum, I was simply trying to explain your condition, not cut you out of the herd!” There is only one person that could keep Bum Phillips in his place and that was his cutting horse training, country girl wife. It was a kick to hear them interact. In fact, they asked Janice and me to come and visit them at their ranch and that was one of the best days of my life. In the late afternoon, Debbie was teaching another young lady how to work with cutting horses. I remember the sun was going down behind their horse barn and we were in some small stands by the quarter horse arena. I happened to look over at Coach. He had such a peaceful look on his face that for some reason I had to ask, “Coach, you love this place don’t you?” He looked at me and said, “Tommy, why wouldn’t I? Everything I need is right here.” The best was yet to come for Coach Phillips and what he felt that day doesn’t even compare with where he is now. And, as he said in his down-to-earth way at our banquet, “Folks, I was kind of late coming to the Lord. I was a fair coach and really cared about my players, but I sure wish I could have known the Lord in those days and told all my players about him.” His funeral was on TV and God honored that desire. And, (this may sound corny), I believe that Jesus loved meeting Bum. I smile thinking about it. And, I can hear Coach saying to all of us, “Everything I need is right here – in spades! See ya’ll soon.” Coach Phillips will always be in our memories at Coaches Outreach. He and Debbie supported us financially and always have encouraged what we are doing. Debbie is still a strong member of our team. Just to stir your curiosity we have a retired college head coach who will be speaking at our January 25th banquet who, like Coach Phillips, fully understands what we are doing for coaches. Put that date on your calendar and please be praying about who you will bring. We want this banquet to be the biggest and best we have ever had. And you know us; this is about ministry to coaches and those who come, not how much money we can raise. Your friends need to know what you know about CO. It is a very important and fruitful ministry. God bless, Tommy Maxwell Executive Director
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 16:36:36 +0000
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