Sports
Ohio Hires NDSU’s Saul Phillips As Head Coach
By: Michael Drapcho
Posted on:
Update April 6, 2:55 p.m.: Ohio agreed with Saul Phillips to a five-year contract worth $550,000 annually, according to Dom Izzo of WDAY.
Former Ohio head coach Jim Christian’s contract had a total annual compensation of $425,000, which made him the highest-paid coach in the Mid-American Conference. Phillips signed a five-year extension with North Dakota State last year with a base salary of $175,000.
The Bobcats will introduce Phillips as their new head coach in a press conference on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
There’s an old saying that says, “Nothing good happens after midnight.” However, that was not the case for the Ohio men’s basketball team Sunday, as it was announced that Saul Phillips would be the next head coach of the Bobcats.
Phillips, 41, will be taking over for Jim Christian, who left Ohio for Boston College after compiling a 49-22 record in two seasons with the Bobcats. Phillips comes to Athens by way of North Dakota State where he coached for seven seasons. In his time at the helm for North Dakota State, Phillips took the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a round of 32 appearance this season. The Bison also collected two regular season conference championships and two conference tournament championships under Phillips.
Phillips has an overall record 134-84 as a head coach. Before becoming a head coach, he spent time as an assistant at Wayne State College, Lake Superior State, University Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin and North Dakota State.
It did not take long for Ohio to fill the head coaching position. Christian took the Boston College job Thursday, but by early Sunday morning, the Bobcats had already named Phillips as their new head coach.