Kevin O’Connell Comments on Vikings OC Wes Phillips' DWI Arrest
Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was arrested for DWI in Minneapolis on Friday night. He was stopped on 394 by a Minnesota State Trooper at around 10 p.m. and registered a 0.10 BAC. Phillips was booked, posted bond, and was released a few hours later. He still traveled with the team to Las Vegas and coached in Sunday's game.
After the game, head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about the situation with his OC, who he has previously coached alongside with the Commanders and Rams.
"When that information came in, Wes immediately informed the team and everybody that he's required to inform," O'Connell said. "I was incredibly disappointed, there's no question, but we want to allow the facts (to emerge) and do our due diligence from that standpoint. The league is clearly involved as well.
"It's very important that, as coaches, we understand where we're setting the bar for our organization and for our players, and Wes knows he fell short of that. Wes is one of the closest coaches I've ever been around. I care about him deeply, and we're, as an organization, going to support him ... we know that Wes knows he made a mistake and we're going to handle that accordingly as we get more information and ultimately work through it. But I think it's a lesson for all of us. No matter whatever you think, this amount or that amount, you have to have a plan and make sure, because it was something we were all very disappointed in."
It's unclear what kind of team or league discipline may result from this situation.
"It's going to be something we'll continue to evaluate, but with it being late on Friday and gathering more information on it, I made the decision after circling up with our leadership and everybody that Wes would travel and ultimately coach today," O'Connell said. "We'll continue to process the information as we move forward and work through whatever discipline there may be at that point."
Phillips, 44, is in his second season as the Vikings' OC.
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