Wade Phillips: 5 Most Crucial Mistakes He Made That Will Lead To His Firing

It is almost inevitable now.

Wade Phillips will be fired for what has happened during the Cowboys 2010 season.

Now the major question is, when?

Jerry Jones isn't known for his complacency so the biggest surprise thus far is that Phillips is still employed.

Let's take a look at the reasons Jones needs to ax Phillips. 

5. The Season Is Over

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Injured quarterback Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cowboys Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Jones has never fired a coach in the middle of a season, but what he must realize is that this season is already over for the 'Boys.

They aren't 3-4, they're 1-6, and their star player is walking around with a sling on his arm.

It is time for Jones to cut his losses and start over.

Give another coach a chance to get himself acquainted with a talented team so that the 'Boys have a fighting chance in 2011.

Oh, and this time, don't hire in-house. 

4. Phillips Is Soft

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips looks on during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 24-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross

Is it possible to be too nice in the NFL?

Of course it is. You hear what these guys say. They want to hurt people when they're out there.

So after you make a huge play, do you want a coach who tells you "great job!" or a coach who meets you halfway on the field for a chest bump?

Phillips is the wrong type of coach for the NFL.

He's a good guy, a nice guy, but not an NFL coach. 

What's worse is that the Cowboys had their chance to hire Tony Sparano, who would have been just the coach they needed. 

3. Penalties

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Marc Columbo #75 and teammate Miles Austin #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 12, 2008 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Lisa Blume

The Cowboys have one statistic that has been commonly cited this year.

Excessive celebration penalties: two. Wins: one.

It may not seem much, but that's a reflection on the coaching staff.

It tells you that the coach has no control over his team once they step on the field, and that's a problem.

Penalties were also key in losses to the Redskins, Vikings and Titans.

Penalties are a generally a result of poor practice and preparation, and that reflects on the coach.

2. Lack Of a Run Offense

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Running back Marion Barber #24 the Dallas Cowboys warms up for the game with the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Cowboys have the 30th ranked rushing offense in the league with only 80.9 yards a game.

How do they plan on winning without a balanced offense?

What is worse is that Felix Jones, their leading rusher, is averaging 4.2 yards a carry.

4.2 yards a carry isn't exactly poor, give the man the ball! 

After Game 1 I wrote an article that the 'Boys had to run the ball to be successful, but the Cowboys stuck with their gameplan.

When you're losing consistently, CHANGE THE GAMEPLAN, otherwise...you're probably going to keep losing.

1. Loss Of Control

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: (L-R) Jon Kitna #3, Jason Witten #82 and Phil Costa #67 of the Dallas Cowboys look on from the sideline late in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cowboys Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (

The Cowboys didn't try against the Jaguars.

The Cowboys knew it, the Jaguars knew it, and the nation knew it.

This is telling in two ways.

The first is that they have lost their competitive edge, which reflects poorly on the head coach.

The second is that they must not care about Phillips job, or else they would at least be putting forth effort.

At the point where the team has given up, and can't even play for the sake of their coach's job, then it is time to move on.