MSSU Athletics Hall of Fame
Jim Phillips is the second-winningest coach in Missouri Southern women’s basketball history. His career mark of 129-72 from 1981-88, served as the most wins in Southern history until Maryann Mitts broke the record in 2008-09. Phillips was the NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year when he helped the Lions to a second-place finish in the national tournament in 1982, the highest finish in school history. He was also an Area IV and National Coach of the Year Finalist in that same year.
He was also named the District 16 Coach of the Year in 1984 and he was the Central States Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year in both 1984 and 1985. He served on the NAIA District 16 national committee from 1982-88 and was the chair from 1982-84. Prior to Southern, Phillips also served as the head women’s coach at Virginia State University from 1975-79. He helped the team to its highest-ever finish nationally (fifth, 1978). From Southern, Phillips went on to coach at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.
Phillips’ 1985-86 team went 25-7 and the 25 wins was tied for the second-highest total wins in a women’s basketball season at Southern when he was inducted. He helped coach three different CSIC players of the year (Pam Brisby, Margaret Womack and Anita Rank), and two freshmen of the year, while coaching the NAIA District 16 player of the year in 1982 (Brisby).
Phillips earned a bachelors degree in English from Austin Peay and completed his masters degree in education from Utah State University. He earned a doctorate in health, physical education and recreation from Middle Tennessee State University. He has a wife, Ann and the couple have two daughters, Melody and Jamie.
