Now in his second stint at Clark University, Paul W. Phillips will begin his 10th season with the men’s basketball program. Phillips hopes to pick up where he left off during his first tour of duty and continue building on the rich tradition that is Clark basketball. In his first term at Clark (1996-2004), Phillips quickly rebuilt the Cougar program and reestablished Clark as one of the top basketball teams in New England and nationally. He guided the squad to four NEWMAC championships (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003), including four NCAA Tournament berths (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003) and two straight trips to the Elite Eight (2001, 2002). Additionally, he directed the 1999-2000 squad to the ECAC New England Division III Tournament. In recognition of the team’s impressive turnaround, Phillips earned NEWMAC Coach of the Year honors after capturing the program’s first conference championship (1999) in 11 years. In his nine years at Clark, he compiled an impressive 151-90 record and amassed an overall career mark of 318-187 in 19 years as a head coach.
A 1976 graduate of Assumption College, Phillips earned a bachelor’s degree with a teaching certification in history. He later received a master’s degree in counseling from Worcester State College in 1989.
Mike Burlas begins his ninth season and second term with the Cougar coaching staff. Burlas was an assistant for Coach Phillips during his first tenure at Clark, and prior to that, assisted him at Anna Maria College during the 1990-1996 seasons, where he helped lead the AmCats to four Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Tournaments and the NCAA Sweet 16 (1996).
He and Coach Phillips’ connection extends far beyond coaching, as the two were 1976 Assumption College graduates. In addition to recruiting, Burlas will also coordinate team travel.
Tyrone Hicks ‘86, the longest tenured coach on the staff, enters his 18th season. Originally from New Haven, Conn., Hicks started coaching with the Cougars in 1988 and has assisted four Clark head coaches. A former four-year (1982-86) standout with the Cougar basketball squad, Hicks was the team’s top rebounder (6.1) as a senior in 1986. His highlights included a team-high 16 points in an upset victory over Division I Yale University that same year. Hicks’ primary responsibility will be to work with Cougar post players, and assist in the areas of scouting and recruiting.
