University of Memphis Athletics
Phillips Promoted to Interim Head Rifle Coach
Aug 19, 2021 | Rifle
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Laird Veatch promoted Morgan Phillips to interim head rifle coach on Thursday. Phillips joined the Tiger program last season, serving as a graduate assistant coach.
"We are excited to name Morgan interim head coach. We especially appreciate Morgan's passion for the sport and how much she cares about our student-athletes," Veatch said. "We look forward to seeing the team perform under Morgan's guidance this coming season."
Phillips arrived at Memphis after establishing herself as one of the finest shooters in West Virginia University history, winning two NCAA titles in smallbore in 2017 and 2018 and earning eight All-America honors in her distinguished career. Phillips was a member of WVU teams that won the 2017 NCAA title and finished runner-up in 2018 and 2019. The Mountaineers also won the GARC crowns in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and placed second in 2020.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Memphis rifle into a new chapter," Phillips remarked. "I want to thank Laird, Marlon Dechausay and the rest of the hiring committee for choosing and trusting me as Memphis Rifle's new leader. It is a great honor to be chosen by them for this position. Having been here for a year already, I know how special it is to be a Memphis Tiger and be a part of this program. I can't wait to continue working with our athletes and to see what the future holds for Memphis Rifle."
Ironically, Phillips wrapped up her time as a Mountaineer on the Memphis campus, helping WVU earn a runner-up finish at the 2019 Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) Championships held at the Larry O. Finch Center.
Phillips won two GARC smallbore crowns in 2017 and 2019 and was also the GARC runner-up in both smallbore and air rifle in 2018. Phillips was named the NCAA Championships Top Performer in 2017, where she finished as runner-up in air rifle.
Of her astounding eight All-America accolades from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA), she earned four first-team honors. She also earned eight All-GARC honors, including four first-team recognitions.
A sport and exercise psychology graduate from West Virginia, Phillips is working on her master's degree in sport and leisure management at the Memphis. As an undergraduate, she was a four-time CRCA Scholastic All-American and a three-time Academic All-Big 12 At-Large first team pick.
In addition to her time at West Virginia, Phillips has had an outstanding career for USA Shooting. She claimed two medals and shot a junior world record at the 2018 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup Suhl, shooting 626.8 in the women's 50m rifle prone for gold and placing second in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions (455.5, 1175).
Phillips finished first in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2018 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships for Rifle and Pistol and earned a bid to the 52ndISSF Junior World Championships. Phillips shot 453.0 in the final and earned the junior title in the women's 3 positions competition at the 2018 USA Shooting National Championships for Rifle and Pistol.
Prior to entering West Virginia, Phillips was a member of the U.S. National Junior Team. She secured a roster spot with a fifth-place overall finish at the 2015 USA Shooting National Championships. Phillips also placed second in the junior competition in smallbore at the national event.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Rifle, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"We are excited to name Morgan interim head coach. We especially appreciate Morgan's passion for the sport and how much she cares about our student-athletes," Veatch said. "We look forward to seeing the team perform under Morgan's guidance this coming season."
Phillips arrived at Memphis after establishing herself as one of the finest shooters in West Virginia University history, winning two NCAA titles in smallbore in 2017 and 2018 and earning eight All-America honors in her distinguished career. Phillips was a member of WVU teams that won the 2017 NCAA title and finished runner-up in 2018 and 2019. The Mountaineers also won the GARC crowns in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and placed second in 2020.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Memphis rifle into a new chapter," Phillips remarked. "I want to thank Laird, Marlon Dechausay and the rest of the hiring committee for choosing and trusting me as Memphis Rifle's new leader. It is a great honor to be chosen by them for this position. Having been here for a year already, I know how special it is to be a Memphis Tiger and be a part of this program. I can't wait to continue working with our athletes and to see what the future holds for Memphis Rifle."
Ironically, Phillips wrapped up her time as a Mountaineer on the Memphis campus, helping WVU earn a runner-up finish at the 2019 Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) Championships held at the Larry O. Finch Center.
Phillips won two GARC smallbore crowns in 2017 and 2019 and was also the GARC runner-up in both smallbore and air rifle in 2018. Phillips was named the NCAA Championships Top Performer in 2017, where she finished as runner-up in air rifle.
Of her astounding eight All-America accolades from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA), she earned four first-team honors. She also earned eight All-GARC honors, including four first-team recognitions.
A sport and exercise psychology graduate from West Virginia, Phillips is working on her master's degree in sport and leisure management at the Memphis. As an undergraduate, she was a four-time CRCA Scholastic All-American and a three-time Academic All-Big 12 At-Large first team pick.
In addition to her time at West Virginia, Phillips has had an outstanding career for USA Shooting. She claimed two medals and shot a junior world record at the 2018 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup Suhl, shooting 626.8 in the women's 50m rifle prone for gold and placing second in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions (455.5, 1175).
Phillips finished first in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2018 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships for Rifle and Pistol and earned a bid to the 52ndISSF Junior World Championships. Phillips shot 453.0 in the final and earned the junior title in the women's 3 positions competition at the 2018 USA Shooting National Championships for Rifle and Pistol.
Prior to entering West Virginia, Phillips was a member of the U.S. National Junior Team. She secured a roster spot with a fifth-place overall finish at the 2015 USA Shooting National Championships. Phillips also placed second in the junior competition in smallbore at the national event.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Rifle, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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