FLORENCE, Ala. – University of North Alabama director of athletics Dr. Josh Looney has announced the hiring of Austin Phillips as the Lions new men's golf head coach. Phillips signed a four-year contract with UNA after leading Cameron University's men's golf program to two of its best seasons in program history
Phillips led the 2022-23 Cameron team to a top-15 national ranking in NCAA Division II and a top-100 ranking among all Division I and Division II programs, according to GolfStat. The standout campaign followed a stellar head coaching debut where Phillips was named the 2021-22 Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year after raising the Aggies in the national rankings and establishing multiple program records.
"We've identified and selected one of college golf's rising head coaches to lead a men's golf program that is quickly emerging as a nationally-competitive Division I program," said Looney. "Austin has what it takes to deliver on the high expectations we have for UNA men's golf and continue our rise in the ASUN and at the Division I level.
Phillips takes over a UNA men's golf program that is coming off a season where it set a Division I program record for tournament wins (three) and produced multiple individual tournament champions for the first time. The 2023 UNA team produced top-three finishes in seven of the 11 tournaments it entered and captured its first victory over a top-20 program by besting Ole Miss to finish runner-up at Florida State's Seminole Intercollegiate
"The opportunity to be the next head men's golf coach at the University of North Alabama is exciting for me and my family," said Phillips. "It's an honor to be a part of this great university and community. I want to thank Dr. Looney and all of the administrative staff for the opportunity and the help throughout this process. This team is young and exciting, and I can't wait to get to work. Roar Lions!"
At Cameron, Phillips recruited and coached four all-conference players, including the 2022 & 2023 Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year (Hamish Murray & Chris Somerfield) and the 2022 & 2023 Academic Players of the Year. During his two years leading the Aggies, Phillips oversaw four tournament wins and produced two individual champions, along with back-to-back NCAA regional appearances. Phillips helped place four of his all-conference players at Division I institutions this summer and, under his guidance, Cameron's team scoring average improved by six shots per round in 2022 and another 2.5 shots per round in 2023.
Phillips also placed emphasis in the classroom by helping improve the team's GPA from 2.95 to 3.48 in his first year as head coach, followed by another increase to a 3.59 team GPA last season. His teams produced six Academic All-Americans alongside the program's record-setting competitive success.
Prior to Cameron, Phillips spent time as the Tournament Administrator at the Carolinas PGA Section, where he had a variety of duties. Prior to that, he worked for the Golf Coaches Association of America, working tournament operations for the GCAA Amateur Golf Series. Phillips is also a PGA Associate and has a USGA Expert Rules Certification.
Phillips gained his initial Division I coaching experience as an assistant coach at Ohio University. He assisted the head coach in all aspects of running the program, including helping in the success and development of second-team All-MAC performer Zach Crawford. He also served as the Assistant to the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Operations while in Athens.
Phillips earned his undergrad from East Carolina University and then earned two master's degrees from Ohio University. He grew up in Greenville, N.C., and will relocate to The Shoals with his wife, Risa.
