UIC Elevates Sean Phillips to lead men's soccer program

CHICAGO - Sean Phillips, the top assistant coach of the UIC men’s soccer team since 2005, has been selected as the fifth men’s soccer coach in school history, UIC athletic director Jim Schmidt announced on Wednesday, Feb. 3.

Phillips replaces John Trask, who was named the head men’s soccer coach at the University of Wisconsin on Jan. 20.

“Our men’s soccer team has achieved tremendous success over the last five years, and Sean was a major part of spearheading the efforts that took UIC men’s soccer to national prominence,” said Schmidt. “After talking with Sean and seeing his plan for the future, I am convinced that he is the right person to lead our program and continue its ascent to great heights.”

“First, I would like to thank Jim Schmidt and the UIC administration for providing me with the opportunity to lead UIC Soccer,” said Phillips.

“I would also like to thank John Trask for bringing me to UIC in 2005,” Phillips said. “The past five years here at UIC has been a tremendous experience on and off the field, both professionally and personally. All the players that I have worked with and the alums from UIC who played here before 2005 make UIC a unique and exciting place to be the head men’s soccer coach.

“My wife Allison and I are looking forward to upholding the growing standards of UIC Soccer as we raise our son here in the great soccer city of Chicago.”

Phillips was the first hire made after Trask was named UIC head coach in 2005. From there the Flames advanced to three straight NCAA tournaments between 2006-2008. This included back-to-back Sweet 16 runs and an unprecedented trip to the Elite Eight in 2007.

UIC won Horizon League regular season championships in 2006 and 2008 and clinched the league’s tournament title in 2007.

In his role as the program’s top assistant, Phillips coordinated countless facets of the program, including recruiting, game strategy, training, scheduling and much more.

Jovan Bubonja, the greatest goalkeeper in UIC history and one of the three best keepers in college soccer over the last decade according to College Soccer News, was discovered and recruited to UIC by Phillips. Phillips coached Bubonja to a seemingly-endless list of accolades that are highlighted by back-to-back All-America seasons and a semifinalist nod for the Hermann Trophy, given to college soccer’s national player of the year, in 2008.

Four Flames players achieved All-America honors in the last four seasons under Phillips’ watch, including current Chicago Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic.

UIC has gone 54-24-26, along with 51 shutouts, during Phillips’ tenure on staff. UIC has also achieved its greatest national rankings during Phillips’ UIC career, including a school-best No. 4 ranking in 2008.

Phillips began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Indiana University, in 2000. He helped the Hoosiers advanced to three College Cups while on staff, winning a national championship in 2004 before heading to UIC.

A goalkeeper for Indiana from 1991-94, Phillips made a pair of trips to the College Cup as a player before graduating from IU with a bachelor’s degree in public policy in 1994. He also has a master’s degree in sport management from Indiana.

Courtesy of UIC Athletics