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That announcement was made in January, 2008, as Phillips agreed to become the Wildcat head coach following the eventual retirement of Rich Brooks. Phillips' success as offensive coordinator, frequent interest from other schools and his popularity in the Commonwealth prompted Brooks to recommend the move to UK officials. When Phillips became coordinator in 2005, UK's total offense and scoring average went up three straight seasons, culminating in a school-record 475 points in 2007. After massive graduation losses from the `07 team, Phillips rebuilt an inexperienced attack. Despite the youth, the Wildcats still managed to finish in the top half of the SEC in scoring offense last season while helping the Wildcats win a third-consecutive bowl game. Since coming back to his alma mater in 2003, Phillips has coached some of the most productive wide receivers in Kentucky history, including Derek Abney, Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson and Dicky Lyons. Burton (St. Louis) and Johnson (Buffalo) are currently in the National Football League. In addition to coaching, Phillips is extremely involved in recruiting. He served as UK's recruiting coordinator in 2003-04, giving up that post after taking on the offensive coordinator role. He has been identified as one of the nation's top recruiters by SI.com and Rivals.com. Phillips has gained additional coaching experience by working post-season all-star games. He was the winning head coach in the 2005 Magnolia Classic. Following the 2006 season, he was an assistant on the winning squad in the IntaJuice North-South All-Star Game. Phillips is a familiar face around Kentucky football. He played at UK from 1981-84 and was on the football staff from 1988-96. As a player, Phillips helped lead the Wildcats to appearances in the Hall of Fame Bowl in his junior and senior seasons. He finished his playing days tied for fifth on the UK career receiving list with 75 catches for 935 yards and nine touchdowns. He went on to play a total of three professional seasons with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League and with Toronto of the Canadian Football League. Phillips began his coaching career at his alma mater as a graduate assistant in 1988-89. In 1990, he served as an assistant recruiting coordinator. He was a full-time assistant coach, in charge of the wide receivers, from 1991-96. In 1991, under Phillips' guidance, wide receiver Neal Clark broke the school single-season record for pass receptions with 47 catches. Clark's mark stood for six years. Another protégé, Kio Sanford, set three Southeastern Conference records for kickoff returns in 1994. Craig Yeast, who became the SEC's career leader in receptions, played his first two seasons under Phillips in 1995-96. Phillips returned to UK from South Carolina, where he coached the wide receivers during the 2002 season. Gamecock newcomer Troy Williamson had an outstanding rookie campaign, earning consensus SEC All-Freshman honors. He went on to be the No. 7 pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Phillips also has coached at Cincinnati (1997-98), Minnesota (1999-2000), and Notre Dame (2001). At Minnesota, Phillips guided first-team All-Big 10 wide receiver Ron Johnson, who went on to play for the Baltimore Ravens. Although he spent only one season with the Fighting Irish, Phillips placed two wideouts in the NFL, Javin Hunter with Baltimore and David Givens with New England. As a coach, seven of his teams have gone to bowl games. Phillips is a native of Franklin, Ky., and was a three-sport standout at Franklin-Simpson High School. He is married to the former Leslie Stamatis. Professional Playing Experience
Coaching Experience
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Joker Phillips, offensive head coach and wide receivers coach at Kentucky,
also is the head coach of the future at his alma mater.
