It appears that the Joker is back in the coaching game.
Following up on reports that began surfacing a couple of days ago, ESPN.com is reporting that Joker Phillips has agreed to become the wide receivers coach of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. The organization has not yet announced his hiring, although that’s something that could happen this week and perhaps as early as today.
Phillips had spent the 2013 season as Florida’s receivers coach before abruptly resigning his position in June of last year. Other than “personal reasons,” no reason was given for the unexpected departure. It was subsequently reported that Phillips was photographed eating in a restaurant with a football prospect during a recruiting dead period, which would be an NCAA violation. He sat out the 2014 season, at least as far as coaching goes.
Phillips, whose main mark while at UF was as a recruiter and Twitter genius, has never held a job at the NFL level as his entire 26-year coaching career has come in the college game.
A receivers coach on six different occasions at five schools, Phillips has, in addition to his time at UF, held that role on staffs at Kentucky (199-96), Cincinnati (1997), Minnesota (1999-2000) and South Carolina (2002). He spent another stint at UK from 2003-09 before becoming the Wildcats’ head coach in 2010-12.
A 13-24 record in the three seasons led to his dismissal in 2012.