New Sarasota head coach Josh Phillips sees smooth sailing ahead

The former Manatee defensive coordinator comes in with lofty goals for his talented group

SARASOTA, FLORIDA- When your program is coming off an even 5-5 season, but won a playoff game, that can be seen as a plus. 

For first-year Sarasota head coach Josh Phillips, he sees those accomplishments as the stepping stones to bigger and better things for his new team. 

Josh Phillips took over as Sarasota’s head coach back late January 

Coming over from Manatee, where he was the defensive coordinator, Phillips has taken on his new head coaching gig at Sarasota High School with some high expectations: Winning and competing. 

Those are two things to expect from the Sailors this spring and come this fall. If the early signs indicate anything, it’s Phillips likes what he sees out of his current group. 

“I expect to win and I expect to compete,” Phillips said. “We play a tough schedule in 2023. There are some teams around here making a lot of noise that don’t play anyone. People that really know high school football know who has talent down here. That’s why the FHSAA had to start involving rankings and strength of schedule in their formula for who makes the playoffs. Who you play matters. But I expect us to build on what was done last year and take it to the next level. They won a playoff game last year and I hope to see us make a deep playoff run.”

Sarasota went 5-5 in 2022 and reached the region semifinal round of the Class 4S playoffs 

The Sailors had plenty of good pieces to work with last season that are coming back into the fold, especially on the offensive side of the football. Sarasota will lean heavily upon its two-headed monster in the backfield of Jaden Judge and Joe Ziegler. 

Between the two running backs, they combined to rush for over 1,400 yards and score 10 touchdowns. There’s a slew of other players that Phillips believes will be difference makers this spring and upcoming 2023 campaign as the offense takes on a new identity under new offensive coordinator Chris Conboy. 

“Our running backs, Joe Ziegler Jr. and Jaden Judge, are two of the best in the state,” Phillips said. “Our powerful run offense directed by offensive coordinator Chris Conboy, who will highlight what they do well. We have two dynamic tight ends, Nathan Wells and Seth Johnson and a trio of senior receivers, Jackson Mullet, Chris Rudolph and Carter Jula, who is also a basketball player.”

The Sailors have plenty of returnees up on the line of scrimmage 

Defense was Phillips calling card back at Manatee as he was instrumental in helping the Hurricanes lower its points per game allowed from 2021 to 2022. Before Phillips arrived, Manatee was giving up 30 points per game, but last season nearly cut that in half to 18. 

Sarasota has a number of linebackers and defensive linemen returning, that will help shore up the Sailors’ front seven. The senior-laden linebacking corps, led by Nathan Pralle, will be the strong suit for Sarasota. 

“On defense, our linebacking corps is led by seniors Kyser Bordones and Harden McSwane, as well as 6-foot-2, 200-pound middle linebacker Nathan Pralle,” Phillips said. “Watch out for these three offensive/defensive lineman Bradford Stough, Brian Klingel and young explosive athlete Jamaun Thompson. In the secondary, cornerback Frank Crawford has really impressed this spring and ran the fastest 40-yard dash on the team. Senior free safety Nick Wasowicz is back seeing the field and getting us lined up right.” 

This spring, Phillips’ bunch will partake in a 3-team jamboree on Thursday night at Berkeley Prep. Sarasota joins Berkeley Prep and Largo in what will be a good test for Sarasota, whom was initially scheduled to face Sunlake, which had to back out of its spring game due due to the recent firing of head coach BJ Hall. 

Something Phillips has noticed about his Sarasota team is the work ethic they bring to the practice field and weight room every day. They will need every bit of hard work and gains throughout the spring and summer as the Sailors tough 2023 schedule includes Bishop Verot, IMG Academy White, Manatee, Sarasota Riverview and Venice. 

“Their work ethic,” Phillips added. “They want to work and they are willing to pay the price to have team success and be great. When things get tough it will be those that forged their team identity in the fire of grueling hard work that know they have what it takes to come out on top.”

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.