COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland men's golf head coach
John Phillips has signed a contract extension through June 2030, as announced by Jim Smith, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics.
Phillips has led the Maryland men's golf program to a bright future in his four years at the helm. Last year, Phillips and the Terps won their first team title in over a decade, as well as an NCAA Regionals individual bid for the first time since 2018.
"John has done an outstanding job leading our men's golf program, and we are excited to extend his contract as he continues building a foundation for sustained success," said Smith. "Under his leadership, our team has shown tremendous growth and is emerging in one of the nation's most competitive conferences. With the talent we have in place and the culture he has established, the future of Maryland men's golf is incredibly bright."
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue leading the Maryland men's golf program," Phillips said. "It is an honor to represent this state, university, athletic department and the student athletes who make this program so special. I'm excited about the future of Maryland golf and look forward to building on the foundation we've established together."
In 2024-25, Phillips led the Terrapins to their first team title in over 10 years as they won the inaugural Testudo Cup at the PB Dye Course in Ijamsville, Md. in April. The Terps went -11 to win the event.
Later that year, Maryland finished sixth at the Big Ten Championships out of 18 teams competing - a major improvement since finishing 14th of 14 the year before.
Sophomore Emil Riegger earned an individual bid to NCAA Regionals in 2025 - the first Terrapin to earn a bid since 2018.
Prior to coming to College Park, Phillips served as the assistant coach at the University of Virginia for six seasons as the Cavaliers received a berth to the NCAA Championships in each of those campaigns. Phillips was also instrumental in two Virginia golfers winning ACC individual titles.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Phillips has coached four All-Americans and 12 Academic All-Americans and has been a part of three conference champions.
Phillips joined the Virginia staff in August of 2016 after helping Virginia Commonwealth to three consecutive Atlantic 10 titles from 2014-16. He spent four seasons with the Rams, joining the staff in 2012.
While at Virginia, Phillips coached All-American Thomas Walsh who won the 2018 ACC Championship, shooting a record 16-under 200 in the event. In 2017, his first season with the Cavaliers, Virginia won four tournaments, finished as the runner-up in two other events and placed 10th at the NCAA Championships, the best showing in program history. Jimmy Stanger won the ACC individual title and three Cavaliers earned All-America honors.
During his tenure at VCU, the Rams won six tournament titles, had five individual tournament medalists, saw 11 players receive all-conference honors and had six players named All-American Scholars.
As a player, Phillips was a four-time All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference selection and guided Bridgewater College to the 2010 ODAC team title and an appearance in that year's NCAA Division III Championship.
A two-year captain, Phillips was named a Cleveland/Srixon Academic All-American in 2011 and 2012.
Phillips graduated from Bridgewater in 2011 with a degree in business administration. He is a product of the VCU Center for Sport Leadership. Phillips received his master's in sport leadership from the program in 2013.
