The 2020 season is the fifth for Corey Phillips with Derek Mason’s program, who serves as an assistant recruiting coordinator in the Vanderbilt player personnel department.

A native of Nashville, Phillips joined the Commodores after enjoying a successful coaching tenure for nearly a decade in the Nashville area. Most recently, he served as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Brentwood (Tenn.) in 2015.

Prior to joining Brentwood, Phillips served at Father Ryan in several capacities under veteran head coach Bruce Lussier from 2007-14, including varsity defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, varsity assistant coach, and freshman team defensive coordinator. He mentored seven All-State recipients, seven all-midstate honorees and 14 Division II All-Region selections at Father Ryan.

Phillips was a collegiate standout at Austin Peay (Tenn.) State and a prep star at Father Ryan. At Austin Peay, he was a four-year starter at defensive back, earning Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman and first team all-conference honors as a senior. Phillips, who registered 13 career interceptions, set a Governor single-season record with 16 defensed passes.

At Father Ryan, Phillips was a standout on the Irish’s 1997 state championship squad, and earned all-state and all-midstate recognition.

Phillips earned a bachelor’s degree in administration from Austin Peay in 2005. He completed a master’s degree in education from Belmont in 2007.