Fifth UK Alumnus to Become Head Coach of Kentucky Football

Designated as UK's head coach of the future in January of 2008, the plan became reality on Wednesday when Phillips was appointed the head of the program after Rich Brooks' retirement.
Phillips is only the fifth Kentucky alumnus to become head coach of the Wildcats and the first since Jerry Claiborne, who led the Cats from 1982-89. Phillips' appointment also has significance in that he is the Wildcats' first African-American head football coach and only the second in the history of the Southeastern Conference.
"I'm excited for the future prospects of Kentucky football under the leadership of Joker Phillips," said UK President Lee T. Todd, Jr. "As a native Kentuckian and former UK player, he knows how much this program means to this University and the entire Commonwealth. We previously identified Joker as the best man to build on the successes enjoyed by our football program during the Rich Brooks era, and we are confident that his leadership and direction will take our program to new heights."
"Joker is a native of the Commonwealth, an alumnus of the University, a letterman and a person who has been an integral piece of our last four bowl victories in program history," said Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics. "He bleeds blue and believes in the foundational principles that Coach Brooks has put in place for the program.
"He has had success as a player, position coach, offensive coordinator and recruiter, and has been sought after by some of the nation's most prestigious college programs and the National Football League.
"Since naming him head coach of the future two years ago, continuity and consistency have become a competitive advantage for UK football, an advantage our program has not enjoyed very often during its history."
Phillips recently completed his fifth season as offensive coordinator and seventh as wide receivers coach in his current tour of duty at his alma mater. Kentucky improved its scoring average and total offense in each of the first three years under Phillips' direction.