Meet Scott Phillips '05
Scott Phillips Jr. graduated from Ohio State University in 2005, earning his degree in Political Science. Currently the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Westminister College in Pennsylvania, Scott has succeeded in making a name for himself in the fields of athletics, real estate, and even restaurant ownership. He and his wife, Jenny, are based in Cleveland, Ohio, and spend their free time watching their kids, Madison (12) and Brayden (11), play sports and perform in theatrical productions.
Despite his lifelong dream of coaching the Cleveland Browns in the Super Bowl, Scott initially chose to become a realtor. Scott quickly rose through the ranks as the top salesperson, a general partner, and then CEO and Managing Partner of what would soon become the most valuable real estate franchise in the Midwest– Keller Williams Realty of Greater Cleveland. During this career journey, he also took ownership of his family restaurant– the oldest restaurant in Cleveland, Guarino’s Restaurant— which has maintained great success for over a century.
Scott’s dream of coaching football never faded, and he began to follow this passion in 2019 as Assistant Director of Scouting for the Hula Bowl. Then, as Assistant Quarterbacks Coach at the University of Toledo, Scott’s leadership helped propel the Toledo Rockets to a conference championship and bowl game victory— thus bringing him to Westminister College. “Football does not sleep or take vacations,” says Scott of the most challenging part of his career, “The only way to do it is for you, and your family, to willingly sacrifice their time and make football the priority… but the reward comes when over 150 players, coaches, and staff unite against a common opponent, emerging victorious for an entire community of fans.” Scott’s personal favorite moment was losing 77-21 against Ohio State on national television. “We played our best and didn’t win. But there was a bit of a euphoric feeling of ‘okay, I’m really here now’ when I took that field. It was a moment I’ll never forget.”
Scott served two terms as Chapter President and VP of Recruitment and two months as Community Service Chair during his time in the chapter. His pattern of involvement only continued as an alumnus, with positions including National Recruitment Committee member (2005-2007), Cleveland State AVC (2012-2017), District Governor (2016-2019), Ohio Gamma AVC, Carlson Leadership Academy facilitator, and Ruck Leadership Institute facilitator.
“I owe my entire success in business and life to our fraternity,” says Scott, “Sig Ep taught me how to live a life of virtue and values. It taught me how to persevere, lead, learn from others, and respect people’s differences. It gave me a platform to spread my wings and grow with some of the best men to walk the planet.” He gives the following advice to undergraduates: “You get roughly four years to learn with a safety net beneath you. Sit in every board room meeting. Meet with every alumnus. Attend every event. Teach. Partake in service projects. Run for E-Board. Stay involved, even if you lose. Read your bylaws and ask why they exist the way they do. Live in the house. Go to every National Training you can afford. There is no downside and unlimited upside. No place prepared me for the real world better than Sig Ep.”