HEAD COACH SEAN PHILLIPS One national championship. Three College Cups. And a key component in leading UIC to the winningest era in the history of the program. When officials welcomed Sean Phillips as the fifth head coach of the UIC men’s soccer program, they knew they were getting a winner. Prior to taking over the reins last season, Phillips served as the top assistant coach of the Flames since 2005. During his tenure, UIC advanced to three straight NCAA tournaments between 20062008. This included back-to-back Sweet 16 runs and an unprecedented trip to the Elite Eight in 2007. The Flames also achieved their greatest national rankings during Phillips’ UIC career, including a school-best No. 4 ranking in 2008. In his role as the program’s top assistant, Phillips coordinated countless facets of the program, including recruiting, game strategy, training, scheduling, academics and much more. Jovan Bubonja, the greatest goalkeeper in UIC history and one of the three best keepers in college soccer over the last decade according to College Soccer News, was discovered and recruited to UIC by Phillips. He coached Bubonja to a seemingly-endless list of accolades that are highlighted by back-to-back All-America seasons and a semifinalist nod for the Hermann Trophy, given to college soccer’s national player of the year, in 2008. Four Flames players achieved All-America honors in the last four seasons under Phillips’ watch, including current Chicago Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic, who claimed Horizon League Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year accolades in 2008, and signed a Generation adidas contract at the conclusion of the 2008 season, being recognized as one of the most promising underclassmen in the country. Phillips began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Indiana University, in 2000. He helped the Hoosiers advance to three College Cups while on staff, winning a national championship in 2004 before heading to UIC. The Indiana Hoosiers also made a pair of trips to the College Cup during his playing career from 1991-94.
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