Last summer, Putnam County High School hired Stephen Phillips as its new head baseball coach.
Phillips replaced Mike Phiel, who led the War Eagles to several playoff appearances. The 2025 season begins Feb. 11, and Phillips wants to build on that success and elevate the program.
“I toured the school and got a chance to meet the administrators and the kids. I really like what I saw,” the new coach said. “I saw potential here, so I decided to see what I can do about building the program.”
Phillips came out of retirement to coach at Putnam County. He brings a wealth of baseball knowledge from his successful tenure as head coach at several different stops.
Phillips began his career at Cartersville High School as an assistant under Stuart Chester, now at Buford. From 2001-03, they helped the Hurricanes win three straight titles.
In 2004, Phillips became the head coach at Dutchtown High School in Henry County. He built the program from the ground up, and the Bulldogs made several trips to the playoffs while he was there.
Phillips took the head coaching job at nearby Locust Grove High School in 2009. He helped establish the school's foundation and spent 11 seasons there before retiring a few years ago.
In 2016, Phillips led Locust Grove to the Class 4A state championship and a 33-5 overall record.
Phillips said his primary focus is helping his players grow on and off the field.
“My focus is always on building better men,” Phillips said this week. “I try to use baseball as a tool to teach the game and life lessons. I try to pay attention to the small details, not necessarily baseball-oriented, but holding [players] accountable.
“I want to teach them how to be great young men, and I think if I can instill discipline and responsibility, the wins come along with that. So, my ultimate goal is for each young man who plays under me to leave my program as a better person.”
Phillips knows what it takes to win at the high school level and wants this year’s Putnam County team to focus on the “small things.” His players have spent the last several months doing just that.
“The key to winning baseball games is making the least mistakes,” Phillips said. “We try to focus on making the routine play, throwing strikes, and allowing our defense to make those plays. So, it goes back to pitching defense to win ball games.
“Offensively, we’re going to look to put the ball in play, put pressure on the defense, and try to take the extra bases when given the opportunity. If you make the routine play and throw strikes, I firmly believe that you give yourself a chance to win.”
Putnam County begins its season at home next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. against Class 4A Ola.