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NC State has worked quickly to fill the hole in their coaching staff following the departure of wide receivers coach George McDonald. The Wolfpack appear set to hire a new man for that role.
From @jtalty and me: NC State is expected to hire Joker Phillips as wide receivers coach, per sources.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 26, 2021
The former Kentucky head coach was Maryland’s co-OC and wide receivers coach the last two seasons.
Phillips is the former head coach at Kentucky from 2010-2012, although he has spent a total of 19 years of his coaching career at his alma mater. He was the offensive coordinator from 2005-2009 before taking over as head coach for the Wildcats following the retirement of Rich Brooks. He was fired after a 2-10 season in 2012, finishing with an overall head coaching record of 13-24.
For the last two seasons, Phillips has served as the wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator at Maryland.
Phillips was an offensive quality control assistant for Ohio State in 2016, serving on the same staff as current NC State offensive coordinator Tim Beck. He also has stops at Florida, Notre Dame, and South Carolina on his resume.