South Pittsburg coach resigns to focus more on his own family

David Phillips, head coach South Pittsburg, talks to his team  in this 2010 file photo.
David Phillips, head coach South Pittsburg, talks to his team in this 2010 file photo.

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. - After nine years of spending countless hours with other people's kids, David Phillips decided it was time to focus more on his own family. Phillips announced he was resigning as the boys' basketball coach at South Pittsburg High School during the team banquet Sunday afternoon.

"After a lot of prayer and talks with my wife (Christy), we decided it was time," Phillips said. "I couldn't have done this job for as long as I have without her support, but we have two small children and it's time for me to be home with my family more.

photo David Phillips, head coach South Pittsburg, talks to his team in this 2010 file photo.

"I'm stepping away to allow someone with fresh insight take over but I'm staying on at this school as a teacher and I look forward to working with whoever they hire and helping with the transition in any way I can."

Phillips, a former Marion County player was also the head coach at his alma mater for five years before taking over the South Pittsburg program in 2006. He won 103 games and was named District 6-A Coach of the Year during the 2012-13 season.

For most of his career he also had to overcome not having the majority of his players to work with until mid-December because for five of his nine seasons those players were also helping the Pirates football program reach state championship games.


"We're a small school, so there's only so many athletes to work with," South Pittsburg principal Danny Wilson said. "That's tough to start a season that many times without some of the better athletes on your team. But David has been the type coach to adapt to whatever adversity was thrown his way and still be competitive. That says a lot about him. He was able to survive when a lot of other coaches wouldn't have and we're very appreciative of what he's meant for our program."

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreeprss.com or 423-757-6293.

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