"Jason brings exceptional experience as both a former player and an alum of Houston," Sumliln said. "He has a great feel for Houston, and he has been a part of the recent success as well as the success back in the 80s.
"He will be a vital part of us taking this program to elite status," Sumlin added.
This past season at Baylor, Phillips served as the recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach.
Phillips is pleased to be returning to his old stomping grounds.
"It feels great to be back here," Phillips said. "I'm really excited about the opportunity to come back home, and as you well know, there is no place like home. I am really excited about being back.
"(Sumlin) is a guy that a lot of people have respect for. I've always had a lot of professional interactions with him, but it's going to be a great opportunity to get to know him personally."
Phillips garnered All-Southwest Conference honors, was the 1987 SWC Newcomer of the Year and received All-America recognition from United Press International (UPI) in his rookie season at UH. In addition to earning All-SWC first-team honors and being named SWC Co-Offensive Player of the Year, Phillips was a consensus first team All-America in 1988. He was also selected to the SWC's All-Decade Team for the '80s.
After a successful playing stint at Houston, Phillips was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1989 and played for two seasons. In his first season with the Lions, Phillips hauled in 30 receptions for 352 yards including a rookie-record 10 passes for a 155-yard performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A native Houstonian, Phillips was a football standout at Ross Sterling High School, where he earned All-District and All-Greater Houston honors as a senior quarterback. He continued his football and academic career at Taft Junior College, playing both quarterback and wide receiver. Phillips was named team MVP as well as a First-Team, All-Conference selection as a rookie quarterback and earned All-State honors as a wide receiver at Taft before transferring to UH.
Phillips earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from UH in 2001. He and his wife, the former Kimberly Robinson, live in Houston. Phillips was inducted into the Houston Hall of Honor in 2006, joining his teammate Ware in the illustrious hall.
