Phillips, who enters his fourth season as Utah Valley’s head coach in 2026-27, has led the Wolverines to unprecedented success over his first three seasons, including back-to-back outright Western Athletic Conference regular-season championships, consecutive 25-win seasons, back-to-back appearances in the WAC Tournament championship game, and two straight trips to the National Invitation Tournament.

“Todd has continued to elevate our men’s basketball program and has established a championship standard at Utah Valley,” said Utah Valley Director of Athletics Dr. Jared Sumsion. “His leadership, ability to develop student-athletes, and commitment to building a sustainable program have positioned UVU basketball for continued success. As we begin this exciting new chapter in The Big West, we are thrilled that Todd will continue leading our program into the future.”

Phillips has compiled a 66-34 record through his first three seasons as head coach, becoming the fastest coach in program history to reach 60 victories. He is also the only head coach in UVU history to win back-to-back conference championships and the only coach to lead the Wolverines to consecutive 25-win seasons.

Utah Valley finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-9 overall record and a 14-4 mark in WAC play, capturing its second straight outright WAC regular-season championship. Now entering just its 18th season as a full NCAA Division I member, Utah Valley has quickly established a championship tradition, becoming the first team in program history to win back-to-back outright conference titles. UVU earned the No. 1 seed at the WAC Tournament and advanced to the tournament championship game for the second consecutive season before earning a second straight berth in the NIT.

The 25-win campaign followed a 25-9 season in 2024-25, giving Utah Valley back-to-back 25-win seasons for the first time in program history. The Wolverines have also won 20 or more games in three of the last four seasons.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue leading this program and representing Utah Valley University,” Phillips said. “What we’ve built here is a reflection of the players, coaches, staff and everyone who believes in what we’re doing. We’ve accomplished some special things together, but we’re not satisfied. Moving into The Big West gives us another opportunity to raise the standard, compete for championships and work toward taking this program to the NCAA Tournament. My family and I love being a part of UVU, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.”

Phillips’ success follows a championship-filled coaching career. He joined the Utah Valley staff in 2019 and spent two seasons as an assistant coach and two as associate head coach before being named the Wolverines’ head coach in 2023. Prior to UVU, Phillips spent eight seasons as head coach at Salt Lake Community College, where he guided the Bruins to the 2016 NJCAA national championship.

Phillips’ new agreement runs through March 31, 2030.

Gonzaga holds off women’s soccer 2-1

SPOKANE, Wash. — After pulling within a goal just before halftime, Utah Valley dominated much of the second half but came up short in a 2-1 setback to Gonzaga on Wednesday night at Luger Field.

Utah Valley falls to 3-4-1 overall, while Gonzaga improves to 4-4-1 on the season.

“I’m proud of the team and proud of the performance,” Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay said. “I thought we were dominant for the majority of the game. We just need to be a little tidier in the final third. Credit to Gonzaga, but if I’m evaluating the game based strictly on our performance, I thought we played well. The scoreboard stinks, but sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.”

Gonzaga struck early after a ball sent into the box was deflected out near the top of the area, where Amelia Severn collected it and fired a shot into the upper-right corner of the net to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute.

Gonzaga doubled its advantage in the 37th minute. After a race for the ball into the box, UVU goalkeeper Madeleine Boucher dove for the loose ball, but it was knocked free. Gonzaga’s Sophia Schlicklin fired a shot toward goal that Mia Owens cleared off the line, but Schlicklin collected the rebound and put it into the net to give Gonzaga a 2-0 lead.

Utah Valley cut the deficit in half with just eight seconds remaining before halftime. Sadie Beardall sent a left-footed cross from the left side into the box, where Jacey Wood battled Gonzaga’s Summer Chen for the ball. Wood’s pressure caused the ball to deflect off Chen and into the net at the 44:52 mark, sending the Wolverines into halftime trailing 2-1.

The Wolverines controlled much of the second half, outshooting Gonzaga 8-1 over the final 45 minutes, but were unable to find the equalizer.

Utah Valley outshot Gonzaga 11-8 on the night and held a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Bulldogs finished with a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.

Utah Valley now returns home to UCCU Stadium on Saturday night to take on in-state rival Weber State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Tickets are available at GoUVU.com/GetTix.

Women’s golf wins Wolverine Invitational team title

Utah Valley fired a final-round 1-under-par 287 to rally past Wyoming and capture the 2026 Wolverine Invitational championship on Tuesday at TalonsCove Golf Club in Saratoga Springs. The Wolverines finished the 54-hole tournament at 11-over-par 875 (290-298-287) to claim the fifth team title in program history and their first-ever Wolverine Invitational championship.

Utah Valley entered Tuesday’s final round six shots behind Wyoming before making up eight strokes to win the title by two shots. The Wolverines (+11) finished atop the 10-team field, ahead of Wyoming (+13), while Southern Utah placed third at 14-over-par. Weber State (+20) was fourth and Idaho State (+25) rounded out the top five.

The championship is the fifth team title in Utah Valley women’s golf history and the third in a 54-hole event. It is also the Wolverines’ second team championship under head coach Juli Erekson and their first since winning the Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational in February 2024. UVU’s previous team titles came at the 2012 Bobcat Invitational, twice at the 2014 Wildcat Invitational, and at the 2024 Utah Tech Trailblazer Invitational.

“I love these ladies. This team is special,” Erekson said. “They fought so hard this week and especially today with everything they had. I’m so proud of the effort they give day in and day out. Everyone had a job and they each were clutch. Everyone mattered. To the last shot. I’m grateful to be coaching such incredible women.”

Sydney Richards led the Wolverines individually, carding an even-par 72 in the final round to finish sixth on the 66-player leaderboard at even-par 216 (71-73-72). Richards eagled the 515-yard par-5 ninth hole and added three birdies during Tuesday’s final round.

Mia Pace shot a final-round 1-over-par 73 to finish tied for seventh at 1-over-par 217 (71-73-73). Pace recorded three birdies in the final round.

Utah Valley returns to action Sept. 21-22 at the Kalispel Invitational at Kalispel Country Club in Spokane, Washington. The Wolverines play the first two rounds on Monday, Sept. 21, before wrapping up the tournament with the final round on Tuesday, Sept. 22.