Who says nothing good happens after midnight?
After former coach Jim Christian left Athens for a head coaching job at Boston College on Thursday, Ohio Athletics announced the hiring of North Dakota State coach Saul Phillips just after midnight Sunday.
“I am extremely excited about the future of Ohio basketball and I am elated to have a chance to add to its rich tradition," Phillips said in a news release. "This is an outstanding university in a terrific community. I share the vision of the administration as to what the enormous potential is of this storied program.
“I want our fans and my players to know that I will pour maximum energy and enthusiasm into Bobcat basketball.”
Phillips, whose Bison won an opening-round NCAA Tournament game against Oklahoma this season, holds a 1-0 advantage in “Big Dance” wins compared to Christian.
In his time with North Dakota State, Phillips put up a 134-84 record with two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Prior to becoming a head coach, Phillips was an assistant at Wayne State, Lake Superior State, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and North Dakota State. He also served as the director of basketball operations at Wisconsin under coach Bo Ryan.
Phillips, a 41-year old Reedsburg, Wis. native, graduated from Wisconsin-Platteville in 1996 and was the captain of the university’s undefeated basketball team that won a 1995 Division III national title.
“I am just ecstatic to be able to welcome a coach with his experience and success to Bobcat Nation,” Director of Athletics Jim Schaus said in a press release. “Saul is passionate, energetic, a great communicator and is inspiring. He has a reputation as an excellent recruiter and players coach. His North Dakota State team had many big wins including a win over Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament.”
