Former Cal State Stanislaus standout Melissa Phillips was named the head coach of the Cal State Bakersfield women’s soccer team, removing the interim coach tag she acquired after the departure of Nicole Van Dyke to Stanford University in the spring.
This promotion comes after a short time in coaching. After graduating from Stanislaus with all-regional, all-league and all-academic accolades in 2009, Phillips, now 23, landed assistant gigs at Hilmar High and with the Turlock Tornados club soccer team. She then went on to assist CSU Bakersfield for two years before earning the program’s top coaching position.
“It became apparent throughout this spring that Melissa is mature beyond her years,” said Jeff Konya, the athletic director at CSU Bakersfield, in a statement. “Yes, she is young, but she brings a lot to the table. Through Melissa's guidance, the team has performed well on the field and the team has strengthened its academic credentials as well.”
In 2010, Phillips guided the Roadrunners of CSU Bakersfield to a win over NCAA Tournament team Sacramento State while drawing against two others in San Diego and Fresno State. Off the field, her team earned the athletic department’s highest collective GPA showing, in addition to NSCA All-Academic team honors in 2009 and 2010.
“In recent years, women’s soccer has attained success in terms of athletics, academics, and community involvement and support,” Phillips said, according to a statement. “I plan to maintain the continuity of the program, while bringing unprecedented momentum to keep going forward.”
At Stanislaus, Phillips was a standout defender who was a three-time all-conference selection and a first-team all-region member. She graduated from Roseville High and competed for the Placer United club team and the District VI Olympic Development Program.
“We are very proud of (Phillips) and what she has accomplished in her brief coaching career,” Stanislaus coach Gabriel Bolton said in a statement. “She has many challenges ahead at Bakersfield but we know she will meet them with the same intensity she met everything as a Warrior.”
