FARGO, N.D. – Ohio University announced late Saturday, Apr. 5, that it has hired North Dakota State University head men's basketball coach Saul Phillips to fill the same position for the Bobcats. Phillips becomes the 18th head coach in school history for Ohio.
 
Phillips' departure from Fargo comes on the heels of one of the best seasons in NDSU men's basketball history. During the 2013-14 campaign, Phillips guided the Bison to a 26-7 record, a sweep of the Summit League regular season and tournament championships, and an 80-75 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I would like to thank the Fargo community for the last 10 years," Phillips said. "I have nothing but positive memories from the players I leave behind and the administration that gave me the shot of a lifetime. Transition is always hard, and it is extremely difficult leaving people who I love."
 
"I also want to thank Gene Taylor and president Dean Bresciani in particular for their support," said Phillips. "There are many others I'd like to thank, and hopefully I get a chance to do that individually."
 
During his seven seasons at NDSU, Phillips posted a 134-84 overall record and a 75-45 mark in The Summit League. Phillips won Summit League Coach of the Year honors for the 2008-09 and 2013-14 seasons.
 
The fourth-longest tenured coach in NDSU men's basketball history, Phillips leaves NDSU with the fourth-most wins by a head coach. He took over the reins of the Bison program prior to the 2007-08 season after spending three years with NDSU as an assistant coach.
 
"We're very proud of Saul and what he has done for our program," said NDSU director of athletics Gene Taylor. "He has had an incredible career with us. We will miss him and wish him and his family the best. We will move quickly and efficiently to name a replacement as soon as possible."
 
NDSU posted three seasons of 24 or more wins – including two years with a school-record 26 victories – plus two Summit League regular season titles and two Summit League Tournament championships in the Phillips era.