Phillips was named Assistant Coach of the Sidekicks before the 1987-88 season. He was promoted to Head Coach on March 2, 1989 and remained in that position until he was fired by owner Phil Cobb on January 21, 1991.
Phillips returned to the Assistant Coach's post until being promoted to a Front Office position in 1996 with the Mavericks and Sidekicks ownership group. He remains with the ownership group today.
After college, Phillips went on to play professional soccer as goalkeeper. He played for the Dallas Tornado from 1980 to 1981, the Wichita Wings, San Jose Earthquakes, and St. Louis Steamers. In April 1983, Phillips joined the Dallas Americans of the American Soccer League. On November 23, 1984, Phillips signed as a free agent to the Dallas Sidekicks for a 10-day contract. He later signed a full time contract with them on December 3, 1984. By doing this, he became the only player to wear the uniform of every professional soccer team that had represented Dallas up to 1984.
For the Dallas Sidekicks, Phillips earned their first regular season win as goalkeeper on December 8, 1984 against the New York Cosmos. He was also the first MISL player of the week from the Dallas Sidekicks (December 17, 1984). While his #0 Dallas Sidekicks jersey has not been officially retired, no other goalkeeper in Sidekicks history wore that number.
Throughout his three seasons as goalkeeper with the Dallas Sidekicks, he played 26 games and clocked 1,495:28 regular season minutes and 75:40 playoff minutes in 2 games. The Dallas Sidekicks won the 1986-1987 MISL Championship.
While a player, Phillips also joined the front office staff in 1986 as Director of Community Relations and Soccer Camps. Since then, he has gone on to coach and manage numerous soccer camps. Some soccer camps to note are the Dallas Sidekicks day camps, the Dallas Sidekicks 4 v 4's which he started, and Tatu's All Star Soccer residential camp, which just finished its 16th year in 2007
How He Got Here
Signed as a Free Agent on November 23, 1984 to a 10 day contract. Signed a full time contract with the Sidekicks on December 3, 1984.
College Days
Phillips was named All-American while playing for Nassau Community College. He earned a B.S. in Physical Education from Adelphi.
There Can Be Only One
Phillips became the only player to wear the uniform of every profesional soccer team that had represented Dallas up to 1984. Phillips played for the Dallas Tornado (1980 and 1981), and the United Soccer League's Dallas Americans (1984).
Somebody Had To Be First
A list of Sidekicks' Firsts accomplished by Phillips:
Honor Roll
Sidekicks Highlights
1984-85
- Recored 6 of the Sidekicks 12 victories this season.
1985-86
1986-87
Double Duty
Phillips joined the Sidekicks front office staff in 1986-87 as Director of Community Relations and Soccer Camps. He also did numerous free soccer clinics on behalf of the club throught his career.
The 5 Reasons Billy Phillips Retired as a Goalkeeper
The official reasons that Phillips gives for retiring as a player, printed here with his permission:
- Krys Sobieski (signed 1985-86)
- Joe Papaleo (signed 1987-88)
- His left knee surgery
- His right knee surgery
- The generous offer to work in the front office.
Regular Season StatisticsBilly Phillips (born August 9, 1956 in Long Island, New York) is a former U.S. soccer goalkeeper who played three seasons in the North American Soccer League, six in the Major Indoor Soccer League and later coached the Dallas Sidekicks for two seasons.