Ash Phillips - Women's Soccer Coach - Southern Illinois University Athletics

Ash Phillips

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
ashley.phillips@siu.edu

Ash Phillips is heading into his third season as an assistant coach on the Southern Illinois University women's soccer coaching staff.

Phillips' second year at SIU saw the Salukis earn a trip to the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. This was Southern's second-ever postseason appearance. Southern Illinois also had one player earn All-Conference honors as Oliva Anderson made the All-MVC Third Team.

In 2024, five players were named to the All-MVC Scholar Athlete teams: Lucy Horn, Kylie McDermott, Ashlyn Henrie, Olivia Anderson, and Sierra O'Grady.

Phillips' first season at Southern Illinois saw Emma Spotak be named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference Third Team, and McKinley Stiff and Kylie McDermott be awarded spots on the All-MVC Scholar Athlete Third Team.

Southern Illinois University women's soccer head coach Graeme Orr announced that Phillips was joining the staff on July 21, 2023.

Prior to SIU, Phillips spent one season at the University of Alabama in Huntsville as the men's assistant coach.

Phillips reunites with Orr at SIU after they first met at West Alabama back in 2013 in his first year in the United States. Phillips, an English native, was a First Team All-GSC selection during his time as a player at West Alabama where he helped lead the team to three-straight tournament titles and an NCAA tournament berth.

"I believe Ash is one of the brightest young coaches in the region," Orr said. "With the staff now set, we are fortunate to have three coaches with youth and experience, and this will be tremendous support for the future of SIU soccer."

In addition to landing on the 2016 All-GSC Team, Phillips was also on the all-tournament team and earned recognition as a D2CCA All-South Region choice.

For his efforts, Phillips was also named to the GSC All-Decade Team for 2010-19.

After his playing days, Phillips spent a year as a graduate assistant at West Alabama and then took his talents to Pennsylvania where he spent the 2021 season as an assistant at Mercyhurst in addition to taking on duties as the head coach of the Erie Commodores in the NPSL.

"I am very fortunate that a challenge like this has been presented," Phillips said. "I can't wait to get going and help this team develop. To do the thing you love day in day out is very special. Under Graeme's tutelage and working alongside other quality staff members is a huge reason for taking the job. A clear vision for the program has been set. It's now time to pave the way."