Vikings' Wes Phillips to Plead Guilty to Amended Charge in DWI Arrest
Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips will "plead guilty to an amended charge of careless driving" in a hearing on Friday, according to court documents obtained by ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Phillips was arrested on the night of December 8th and initially charged with fourth-degree DWI. With this plea deal, he'll pay a $378 fine and be required to do eight hours of community service work.
Phillips, 44, was given a misdemeanor DWI charge after being pulled over and blowing a 0.1 BAC at around 10 p.m. a little over two months ago. He informed team officials and continued to coach for the rest of the season.
"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," head coach Kevin O'Connell said at the time. "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."
Phillips has been the Vikings' OC under O'Connell for the last two seasons. The son of former NFL head coach Wade Phillips and grandson of Bum Phillips, he previously overlapped with O'Connell as an assistant coach with the Rams and Commanders. Phillips also coached with the Cowboys and several college programs earlier in his career.
There's been no indication that he won't return as the Vikings' OC for a third season in 2024.
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