Defensive Backs Coach
Now in his 25th season on the Bluffton University football staff, Denny Phillips coaches the defensive backs and punters. During his time at Bluffton, Phillips has mentored over 25 all-conference defensive backs and his work in the secondary helped Bluffton to a 2000 Heartland Conference co-championship.
A native of Castalia, Ohio, Phillips earned Associated Press All-America honors in track at Margaretta High School before coming to Bluffton, where he lettered in track and basketball. He was the Bluffton University head track coach in the early 1990s, leading his teams to three conference titles in the Association of Mideast Colleges. His football coaching experience includes tenures at Lima, Perry and Leipsic high schools.
He teaches elementary health and physical education in the Bluffton public school system. In addition, Phillips is the head track and field coach for Bluffton High School after serving as an assistant when the Pirates were the 2008 OHSAA state track and field champions.
Coach Phillips lives in Bluffton with his wife, Kaye, and sons, Adam and Justin.
