Trailblazer Lincoln “Tiger” Phillips Is Heading to the Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame

Few individuals have left their mark on soccer as noteworthy as Lincoln Phillips, America’s first Black professional soccer coach. Phillips will be enshrined in the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame in January 2024.

Phillips’ journey began in 1968 with his groundbreaking appointment as the coach of the Washington Darts, the first Black professional soccer coach in the United States.

Lincoln Phillips (photo courtesy X)

His coaching prowess was initially acknowledged when he was named American Soccer League’s (ASL) Coach of the Year in 1969. A year later, Phillips became the head coach of the men’s soccer team at Howard University. Under Phillips’ guidance, the Bison won the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship in 1974. His overall record at Howard, 117-19-11, included two undefeated seasons.

Later, Phillips became head coach and general manager of the Maryland Bays of the American Soccer League, and in 1992 became goalkeeper coach for the U.S. National Men’s Team. In that role, he shaped the careers of many prominent goalkeepers, including Tony Meola, Brad Friedel, and Kasey Keller.

Off-the-field, Phillips’ commitment to inclusivity and diversity promoted him to launch the Black Coaches Community, previously known as the Black Coaches Advocacy Group. The collective continues to be a driving force in promoting diversity in soccer.

Over the years, Coach Phillips has earned numerous accolades, including being inducted into the Howard University Hall of Fame (1996), the Trinidad and Tobago Hall of Fame (1998), and the Virginia-D.C. Soccer Hall of Fame (2002). Phillips’s lifelong dedication to the sport was recognized in 2020 when he received the prestigious Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to his many coaching accomplishments, Phillips is also a respected author. His book, Soccer Goalkeeping: The Last Line of Defense, The First Line of Attack, is considered a definitive work in the field. Among other titles, Phillips also penned an autobiography, Rising Above and Beyond the Crossbar.

Phillips will be inducted into the Coaches Hall of Fame with three other soccer notables at the 84th annual United Soccer Coaches Convention, which will be held January 10-14 in Anaheim, Calif.