Phil Savage

Last updated

Phil Savage
New York Jets
Position: Interim general manager
Personal information
Born: (1965-04-07) April 7, 1965 (age 59)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Career information
High school: Murphy (Mobile, Alabama)
College: Sewanee
Alabama
Career history
As a coach:
As an executive:
Executive profile at Pro Football Reference
Career highlights and awards

Phillip Savage Jr. (born April 7, 1965) is an American football executive, author and media personality who is the interim general manager for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the senior personnel advisor for the Jets from 2019 to 2024.

Contents

In 2019, Savage was the general manager for the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He was the senior vice president and general manager of the Browns from 2005 to 2008. He served as director of player personnel for the Baltimore Ravens under general manager Ozzie Newsome, a former Browns' player and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, from 2003 to 2004. He was a scout for the Browns from 1993 to 1995. He was also the former general manager of the Cleveland Browns and the executive director for the Senior Bowl. Phil Savage also served as the color announcer for The Alabama Crimson Tide alongside Eli Gold for several years with the Crimson Tide Sports Network, and worked as a guest host, for Sirius XM Sports Radio for several years, before joining the NY Jets. Phil Savage was also on ESPN for several years as a guest host.

Early years

Savage attended high school at Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama and played football and baseball at the University of the South (Sewanee, Tennessee). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and was a three-time all-conference shortstop in baseball. He received a master's degree in physical education from the University of Alabama in 1989.

Savage spent the first seven years of his career in the coaching ranks at Alabama, UCLA, and with the San Antonio Riders of the World League.

Executive career

First stint with Browns

Savage began his career in the National Football League (NFL) as an intern with the Cleveland Browns in 1991. Savage was hired by the new Browns head coach Bill Belichick as a coach and made the transition to scouting and personnel in 1994. During his first stint in Cleveland, he worked with several talented young scouts and assistant coaches that Belichick had assembled, including Nick Saban, Kirk Ferentz, Pat Hill, and Jim Bates.

Baltimore Ravens

Savage worked his way up the ladder in the front office as a scout and personnel evaluator with the Browns, eventually following Cleveland's former owner Art Modell and the rest of the front office to Baltimore in 1995.

Savage then played an important role in the drafting of 10 Pro Bowl players: offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, linebacker Ray Lewis, receiver Jermaine Lewis, linebacker Peter Boulware, cornerback Chris McAlister, running back Jamal Lewis, linebacker Adalius Thomas, tight end Todd Heap, safety Ed Reed and linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Second stint with Browns

Savage was named senior vice president and general manager of the Cleveland Browns on January 6, 2005. On December 30, 2005, reports surfaced that Savage was on the verge of being fired after less than one year on the job, an item that was quickly denied by Browns management. The speculation was based on a reported personality conflict between Savage and Browns team president John Collins. Four days after the organizational rift became public, it was Collins who resigned his post after losing the power struggle with Savage.

Savage stole the headlines in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft as the Browns drafted Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas with the third pick overall, and then acquired Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn with the 22nd pick, acquired through a trade with the Dallas Cowboys. The Browns gave up their 2007 second-round pick and 2008 first-round draft selection to Dallas for the chance to pick Quinn.

The Browns signed Savage to a three-year extension through 2012 on May 2, 2008. However, after a poor 2008 season and an email controversy involving a fan, [1] Savage was fired on December 28, 2008. [2]

Philadelphia Eagles

On February 4, 2010, Savage was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as a player personnel consultant. In his role, Savage worked with general manager Howie Roseman and director of player personnel Ryan Grigson in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft, specifically in the evaluation of draft prospects in the southeast part of the country. [3] He was re-hired during training camp. [4]

Senior Bowl

Savage was named the executive director for the Senior Bowl in May 2012 where he served until May 2018. During that time he worked as the color analysis for the Crimson Tide Sports Network. [5]

Arizona Hotshots

In June 2018, Savage joined the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football as their general manager. [6]

New York Jets

In 2019, Savage was hired by the New York Jets as a senior personnel advisor under general manager Joe Douglas.

On November 19, 2024, Savage was named interim general manager following the firing of general manager Joe Douglas. [7]

Analyst career

In April 2009, with Savage no longer in the NFL, he was asked to provide color commentary for the University of Alabama A-Day game along with Eli Gold. Savage voiced an interest in the open position left vacant by Ken Stabler. In June 2009, Savage was officially named part of the Crimson Tide Sports Network (CTSN).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Parcells</span> American football coach (born 1941)

Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is an American former football coach who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 19 seasons. He came to prominence as the head coach of the New York Giants from 1983 to 1990, where he won two Super Bowl titles. Parcells was later the head coach of the New England Patriots from 1993 to 1996, the New York Jets from 1997 to 2000, and the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006. Nicknamed "the Big Tuna", he is the only NFL coach to lead four different franchises to the playoffs and three to a conference championship game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ozzie Newsome</span> American football player and executive (born 1956)

Ozzie Newsome Jr. is an American professional football executive and former player who is the executive vice president of player personnel of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Newsome was a tight end for the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and was general manager of the Ravens from 1996 to 2018. Newsome has been inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame (1994) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999).

The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League (NFL). The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34–7, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Pioli</span> American football executive (born 1965)

Scott Pioli is an American football executive who most recently worked as the assistant general manager for the Atlanta Falcons. He was an NFL analyst for NBC Sports' Football Night in America, NBC Sports Network's Pro Football Talk, Sirius XM NFL Radio and the NFL Network. He previously served as a front office executive for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. Pioli served as the director – and later vice president – of player personnel for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008 when the franchise won three Super Bowl championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Thompson</span> American football player and executive (1953–2021)

Ted Thompson was an American professional football player and executive in the National Football League (NFL). He was the general manager of the Green Bay Packers from 2005 to 2017. Thompson had a 10-year playing career in the NFL as a linebacker and special teams player with the Houston Oilers from 1975 to 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeMeco Ryans</span> American football player and coach (born 1984)

DeMeco Ryans is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach of the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Ryans played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was named a unanimous All-American.

Charles Kenneth "Buddy" Nix is a former American football coach and executive. He was the general manager of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL) from 2009 to 2013. Nix was a scout for the Bills from 1993 to 2000. He joined John Butler and A. J. Smith with the San Diego Chargers from 2001 to 2008 and returned to the Bills in 2009.

Harvey Ray Farmer is an American professional football executive and former player who is a senior personnel executive for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He is the former general manager of the Cleveland Browns, having served in that role from 2014 to 2015. Farmer has also previously served with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons in their scouting departments. He played in the NFL as a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Dorsey (American football)</span> American football player and executive (born 1960)

John Michael Dorsey is an American football executive and former player who is a senior personnel executive for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as general manager of the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs. He is a former National Football League player for the Green Bay Packers, and later served in the Packers' scouting department for more than two decades, including director of college scouting from 2000 to 2011. He served as the Seattle Seahawks' director of player personnel in 1999, between two stints in Green Bay's front office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dont'a Hightower</span> American football player (born 1990)

Qualin Dont'a Hightower is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the inside linebackers coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for nine seasons with the Patriots. Hightower played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, receiving consensus All-American honors and winning two BCS National Championships. Selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Patriots, he was named to two Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowl titles.

A general manager (GM) in American football is a team executive who is typically the head of football operations, which includes leading the scouting department and being responsible for handling free agent transactions and contract negotiations with players and coaches. Under such a model, the GM reports directly to the owner or team president. However, some team owners serve as their own GM or employ one who acts in a supporting role to the head coach. Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders was an example of an owner who also served as GM, while Bill Belichick is an example of a head coach having de facto GM responsibilities during his tenure with the New England Patriots.

Michael Lombardi is an American football executive and media analyst currently working as an adviser for Washington Huskies football. Until 2016, he was an assistant to the coaching staff of the New England Patriots and is a former analyst for the NFL Network and sportswriter at NFL.com. Lombardi also previously served as an NFL executive with the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Oakland Raiders. He hosts his own podcast "The GM Shuffle" formerly with Adnan Virk now with Femi Abebefe, and co-hosts a Saturday morning sports betting program on Sirius XM for Vegas Stats & Information Network along with a daily show on Vegas Stats & Information Network called "The Lombardi Line".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtney Upshaw</span> American football player (born 1989)

Courtney Tremaine Upshaw is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, earning first-team All-American honors in 2011. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Mosley (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Clint Mosley Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Mosley made 4 Pro Bowls as a member of the Ravens, and has made another as a member of the Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Gettleman</span> American football executive (born 1951)

David Alan Gettleman is an American former professional football executive in the National Football League (NFL). He was the general manager for the Carolina Panthers from 2013 to 2017 and the New York Giants from 2018 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Ragland</span> American football player (born 1993)

Reggie Keith Ragland Jr. is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning two national championships. He was then selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. In 2016, he missed his rookie season after being placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL. During the 2017 season, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth round pick in the 2019 draft. On January 6, 2018, Ragland started his first career playoff game, registering nine tackles during the team's 22–21 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Two years later he won his first Super Bowl, recording two tackles when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers.

Timothy Williams is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Christopher Grier is an American football executive who is the general manager of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL), a position he has held since 2016. Having been with the organization since 2000, Grier held various scouting roles with increasing responsibility with the Dolphins. He also has past experience in the personnel department of the New England Patriots, having served there from 1994–1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jedrick Wills</span> American football player (born 1999)

Jedrick Wills Jr. is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Browns in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Anderson Jr.</span> American football player (born 2001)

William Anderson Jr. is an American professional football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he won several awards, such as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice, and was a part of Alabama's national championship in 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "Browns GM apologizes to fan for profane e-mail". November 20, 2008.
  2. ↑ Savage Out as Browns' GM si.com, December 28, 2008
  3. ↑ Spadaro, Dave (February 4, 2010). "Eagles Add Savage To Personnel Staff". Philadelphiaeagles.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
  4. ↑ Raanan, Jordan (August 3, 2010). "Eagles Bring Back Former NFL GM as Consultant". Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia . Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  5. ↑ Crabtree, Curtis (May 10, 2018). "Phil Savage leaving role as Senior Bowl director after six years". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  6. ↑ Stephenson, Creg (June 13, 2018). "Phil Savage named general manager of Phoenix AAF team". The Birmingham News . Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  7. ↑ Allen, Eric (November 19, 2024). "Jets Part Ways With Joe Douglas; Name Phil Savage Interim GM". New York Jets . Retrieved November 19, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.