Steve Phillips Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 4th year at Clemson

Steve Phillips is in his fourth season at Clemson University, where he will be responsible for mid-distance swimmers this season. He has worked with all of the groups at some point at Clemson. Phillips was a four-year swimming letterman for the West Virginia University Mountaineers. He was a two-time team captain and a Big-East finalist, as well as a member of the Academic All-Star Team four times. Phillips earned his Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology and attained a Master's in athletic coaching and education, both from WVU.

Phillips came to Clemson after a lengthy stint at West Virginia, where he served as the Mountaineers' interim head coach for both the men's and women's teams in 2003-04. Under his leadership, 94 percent of his student-athletes had at least one personal best time in 2003-04. The women's team also amassed a 3.20 GPA in the Fall of 2003 while the men posted a 2.82 GPA in the same period.

The role of interim head coach was the last of many Phillips took on for the Mountaineers. He was an assistant on the WVU staff from 2000-2003 where he assisted in recruiting, helped organize team travel plans and coordinated the program's dry-land conditioning. Phillips coached two 2000 Olympians and helped the Mountaineers break 32 school records during his stint as an assistant.

He also stayed active in the community as head coach of the Mountaineer Athletic Club in Morgantown, WV. Phillips has also designed workouts, helped correct swimming techniques and coordinated meet lineups for swimmers ranging from 6-18 years old. Another accomplishment that he is proud of is his volunteer work with the Special Olympics.

Phillips' resume at Clemson is equally impressive. During the past four seasons, Phillips has put at least one swimmer in the All-Time Top-10 in Clemson history in every swimming event for the men and all but three for the women. He has coached Mark Vahle to the school record in the 50 freestyle during a second place finish in the 2005 ACC Championship meet. Rachel Regone also holds a school record in the 50 Freestyle on the women's side, which she set in 2006, and Tommy Rappold set the school record in the 100 fly in 2005 under Phillips.

Sophomore Matt Angelini has also benefited from Phillips, placing in Clemson's all-time top-10 in the 200 and 400 IM. Juniors Cassy LaRussa and Summer O'Donnell have put up impressive times in distance events, cracking the women's top-10 in several events. Junior Michelle Parkhurst has also attained two school records during his tenure.

Phillips has proven to be a versatile asset to the Tigers through his work in all facets of the sport from the pool to recruiting. Although he has coached for a short time, Phillips has a proven record of churning out successful swimmers in many events.

Phillips resides with his wife Jennifer, a Compliance Director at Gardner-Webb University, and their daughter Skylar who was born in January of 2007.