News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Longtime Texas A&M soccer coach Phil Stephenson retired Wednesday. Stephenson just completed his 26th year on the Aggie staff, including his 15th as the associate head coach.
“Phil has been a priceless asset for the Texas A&M soccer program over the past quarter-century,” head coach G Guerrieri said. “So much of our success is tied directly to his tenure on our coaching staff. Not only has he helped us make long runs in the NCAA Tournament and win conference championships, but he played a major role in the recruitment and development of some legendary players and helped them to realize their dreams as college and professional athletes.
“It’s always hard to say goodbye to close friends and family, but I know he departs our program to achieve greatness in the next chapter of his life in a well-deserved retirement.”
Stephenson helped build the Texas A&M program into one of the elite sides in the nation. During his 26 seasons, the Aggies claimed nine conference regular season crowns and seven league tournament titles. The Maroon & White made it to the NCAA Championship in 24 of his seasons on staff, earning 15 Sweet Sixteen appearances and seven Elite Eight trips. The crowning moment was an appearance in the 2014 College Cup.
During the elongated 2020-21 campaign, Stephenson was part of a crew that earned United Soccer Coaches Southeast Region Staff of the Year recognition. In the unique split season, the Aggies scratched out a 12-4-1 season. In the fall, Ol’ Sarge’s charges earned a share of the SEC regular-season title with a 7-1-0 record. With two All-Americans leaving the squad in January, the coaching staff reworked the lineup to grind out an Elite Eight run in which Texas A&M got past three Top 20 opponents.
Stephenson helped guide the Maroon & White to a 14-5-3 record and 25th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid in 2019. The season was capped off by Ally Watt becoming the highest draft pick in school history, selected sixth overall by the North Carolina Courage.
In 2018, Texas A&M started the season with a 10-match unbeaten string on the way to a 17-5-1 record, and 15th Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Stephenson’s efforts facilitated the Aggies posting the best winning percentage in school history in 2017 with an 18-2-2 mark (.864). The Maroon & White also posted a school-best 14-game winning streak, which included capturing three matches en route to the school’s third SEC Tournament title.
In 2015, guiding a team that returned just three starters and seven percent of its scoring from the prior season, Stephenson helped the staff with one of its best coaching jobs. The coaching corps steered the gritty Aggies to an NCAA Championship quarterfinal spot, handing the North Carolina Tar Heels their first exit prior to the Sweet 16 in the 34-year history of the tournament.
The 2014 campaign represented the grandest in school history and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America honored Stephenson as the South Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Texas A&M experienced a historic season in, setting a school record for wins on the way to its first-ever College Cup appearance. The Maroon & White went 22-3-2 on the season and won the SEC Double with a regular-season crown and tournament title. The Aggies became the first team to earn the SEC Double in back-to-back seasons since Florida in 2001. They also became the first SEC team since Florida in 2001 to advance to the College Cup.
Stephenson joined the staff for the 1999 season and the squad enjoyed 22 consecutive trips to the NCAA Championship. He earned a promotion to associate head coach in 2010. Stephenson coached alongside his wife Lori from 2001-2022.
In 2003, he claimed National Assistant Coach of the Year honors by AFLAC and Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director magazine.