Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy students will see a familiar face when they walk into the athletic director’s office this school year: James Phillips.

Phillips, who most recently served as the head of Holy Trinity’s PE department, and as a PE teacher and head varsity boys’ soccer coach, recently was appointed as the school’s new athletic director. He is also the current director of select programs for Space Coast United Soccer Club.

Phillips has been at the Melbourne private school since 2006 and has more than 20 years of experience coaching at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels. Previous roles included head and assistant coaching positions with Space Coast United Soccer, Melbourne Central Catholic High School, and Florida Institute of Technology.

Formerly a professional soccer player with Swindon Town Football Club in Swindon, England, Phillips has led Holy Trinity’s boys’ varsity soccer team to one regional and nine district championships during his tenure. Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology.

“Out of 119 applicants, our own James Phillips rose to the top as the perfect candidate to become the new athletic director at Holy Trinity,” said the president of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Dr. Katherine M. Cobb. “James has been a member of the Holy Trinity family for 12 years, and during that time he has been a teacher, coach, and mentor to many.

“James embodies the ‘Holy Trinity Way’ in every aspect of his coaching and teaching,” Cobb said. “He has a competitive spirit combined with a professional and friendly demeanor. We are proud to have James lead our outstanding coaching staff to continue to foster the HTEA commitment to scholarship, competition, and sportsmanship in our school community.”

Phillips replaces Scott Crockett, who accepted a position as athletic director for an international school in the Dominican Republic. Crockett served at HTEA for four years.

Of his new position, Phillips said, “It is truly an honor being named athletic director at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. After 12 years in the PE department, I enter this new position with a deep love for this school and great enthusiasm for my new role. My goal is to build on the outstanding job Scott Crockett has done over the past four years.

“I’m looking forward to partnering with faculty, staff, and coaches, but most importantly, with the talented student-athletes here at Holy Trinity to build the legacy of the Tigers for years to come,” Phillips said.

Phillips will continue to serve as the school’s boys’ soccer coach.

– Michelle Salyer is Director of Communications & Marketing at HTEA.