Director of Athletics Jeff Konya has selected April Phillips to lead the San José State women’s basketball program, announced on Wednesday. Phillips spent the last season as an assistant coach at the University of Texas where the Longhorns won the Big 12 tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight.
“I want to thank TurnkeyZRG and Katy Young Staudt for their expertise as we mutually identified some high-quality candidates during this national search,” said Konya. “April has extensive experience in recruiting as evidenced in signing top classes at Texas, Cal and Arizona. This is an incredible coaching opportunity and April is the right fit for our culture. Her positive energetic persona will lead the Spartans to new heights.”
In addition to helping lead Texas to the program’s first Big 12 tournament title in 19 seasons, Phillips helped Texas ink the No. 7 recruiting class in the country. While at Cal, she helped sign the sixth-best recruiting class and was part of upset wins over then-No. 13 Arizona, No. 20 Arkansas and No. 22 Arizona State in 2019-20. While at Arizona, she helped guide the Wildcats to the biggest turnaround in program history, 12 more wins than the previous year, and the 2019 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) championship. Phillips has helped develop 21 all-conference team selections, as well as three conference Freshman/Newcomer of the Year players.
“I am thankful to Jeff Konya, TurnkeyZRG and SJSU Administration for their confidence in me leading this program,” said Phillips. “I also want to thank Vic Schaefer, Charmin Smith, Adia Barnes, Charity Elliott, Ty Grace and Anne Donovan for their leadership and guidance in preparing me to be a head coach. I am ready to start evaluating and bringing in top recruits to San José State. I am excited about developing young women and competing in the Mountain West.”
- Before coaching at Arizona, Phillips brought in two of the top recruiting classes at Loyola Marymount as Associate Head Coach and was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) “30 Under 30” list in both 2017 and ’18
- Phillips spent one season as a graduate assistant coach at Georgia Tech (2014-15) and a year as an Assistant Coach at New Haven (2013-14)
- A native of Long Beach, Calif., Phillips played collegiate basketball at Georgia Tech (2005-06) and Xavier (2007-10)
- Led Xavier to three NCAA tournament appearances, two Atlantic-10 championships, and a 30-4 record in 2010 which included a NCAA Elite Eight appearance, falling to No. 2 Stanford, 55-53, to go to the Women’s Final Four
- Competed on the track and field team as well at Xavier, winning the A-10 shot put title and setting the school record
- Two-time Nike All-American in high school and was ranked as the nation’s sixth-best wing player
What they are saying about Coach Phillips
Vic Schaefer, Texas head coach
“I am so happy to hear of the naming of April Phillips as the next head coach at San José State University. Well deserved! Coach Phillips was an integral part of our Elite Eight run this season at the University of Texas. She has proven in her short time here to be an elite recruiter as well as a tremendous coach working with our post players as our post were some of the most improved players on our team throughout the course of the season. April will not only make a great impact on the campus, but she will also impact her community, the university and the state of California. It has been a blessing and an honor for us to have her here this past season. Her commitment and passion for the game and our student-athletes will be sorely missed. Congratulations to April and San José State University. Go Spartans!”
Lindsay Gottlieb, USC head coach
“I am thrilled for my friend April to be named the next head coach at San José State University. April has worked tirelessly in our profession at every level. She has established a stellar reputation with colleagues, youth coaches and the community through genuine relationships and authenticity. Mostly, however, I am thrilled for the young women that will play for April. She will be a coach and mentor that is true to her principles and her players will grow under her leadership. What a terrific hire.”
Aari McDonald, Atlanta Dream, WNBA
“I am so happy for Coach April. She’s so deserving of this job. I have no doubt that she will take this program to new heights. She coaches with passion, is a genuine person, and is relational with her players. I wish her nothing but the best.”
Charmin Smith, Cal head coach
“I couldn’t be more thrilled for April. I know she has put in the time and the hard work. She is extremely knowledgeable about this game and has the ability to make meaningful connections with student-athletes. She has all the tools to lead as a head coach and I know she will do well.”
Photo Courtesy SJSU Athletics
Tagged with: April Phillips Mountain West San Jose State
