ODESSA, Texas (August 16, 2024) – UT Permian Basin Athletics has announced the hiring of Justin Phillips as the Falcons' new Head Baseball Coach.

Phillips served as the Head Baseball Coach at Trinity Christian School in Lubbock, Texas, for a total of eight seasons (2015-2022). He was previously an Assistant Baseball Coach/Pitching Coach at NCAA Division II Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, for three seasons (2012-2014). Phillips is currently an Associate Scout for the Kansas City Royals.

In 2007 as a player at Harding University, Phillips helped put together one of the best seasons in Harding history where he became the first All-American selection for the Bison. He earned both Gulf South Conference and South Central Region Pitcher of the Year honors as he compiled a 10-3 record with a 1.21 earned run average. Phillips threw 96.1 innings, led the nation with 121 strikeouts, and held opponents to a batting average of .178. He had five shutouts and 11 complete games across 13 starts.

Phillips continued his career by signing a free agent contract with the Kansas City Royals. After a span of two and a half seasons of Independent Baseball, Phillips retired in order to pursue his passion further and became a baseball coach.

UTPB Interim Vice President for Athletics Scott Farmer said, "We are thrilled to introduce Justin Phillips as the new baseball coach at UT Permian Basin. Justin's experience in college and in the professional ranks speaks for itself, and we are confident that he will be a tremendous asset to the UTPB baseball program. In addition, he has a wealth of experience coaching in West Texas, and we believe that will help set up him for great success here at UTPB. We welcome Justin and his family to the Falcon community with open arms and look forward to seeing his team take the field this spring."

As a student at Harding University in 2008, Phillips found himself on the Dean's List while graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management.

Phillips spent his first two seasons at Delta State University as a graduate student, where he furthered his education pursuing a Master of Business Administration focusing on Finance. Phillips volunteered the third year as the pitching coach under the direction of Mike Kinnison.

The Waco, Texas, native is married to the former Lindsey Price from Pampa, Texas, who is a licensed cosmetologist and make-up artist.

Justin and Lindsey have four children: Benjamin (15), Matthew (11), Price-Shane (8) and Oaklin-Grace (5).