Bio

Joining the Hornet coaching staff in 2008 as a part-time assistant coach, Phil Austin was hired in the spring of 2017 as a full-time faculty member and assistant football coach. He has now been elevated to Co-Head Football Coach along with Brian Crooks for the 2024 season

In the middle of his run with the Hornet football team, Austin spent two seasons (2012 and 2013) as the Bruin's Defensive Quality Control Coach. He worked primarily with the Bruin linebackers where he helped mentor 1st team All-American and 1st round draft pick (9th overall) Anthony Barr, NCAA Defensive player of the year (Butkis award) Eric Kendricks 1st team freshman All-American and PAC 12 freshman of the year Myles Jack. UCLA's 2013 linebacking core was considered by many to be the best in the country. Austin was also the recruiting assistant for PAC 12 Recruiter of the Year Adrian Klemm, who is considered as one of the best recruiters in the country.

A former All-Westside tailback and strong safety at Saint Monica Catholic High School (Santa Monica) He was also an All-League basketball player and a CIF Track and Field Champion in the 110 High Hurdles.

After graduating high school in 1995, Phil became All-Conference safety and punt returner at Pasadena City College and signed with the University of Hawaii. A two-year starter and team captain at Hawaii, Phil played corner and both safety spots, and was an All- WAC safety in 1998. In his best game for the Warriors, Austin had 18 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 PBU, and a sack on the road against The University of Utah. Austin was a free agent pick up for the 49ers in 2000 but did not make the team. He played three seasons in Arena Football for the Hawaiian Islanders and San Diego Riptide.

Phil coached three seasons at Santa Monica High School coaching the wide receivers and defensive backs. His team won the CIF championship in 2001. He went on to coach wide receivers at Pasadena City College for two seasons with his former coach Tom Maher

Austin got his first full-time coaching job at the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport Rhode Island where he was defensive coordinator. His team gave up only 9 points a game and allowed just 4 total rushing TD's at Navy Prep. Phil also coached as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Mater Dei High School before coming to Fullerton College.

During his first part-time stint at FC (2008-2011), Phil was the running backs coach who helped guide All-Americans and Conference Players of the Year Kenny Turner (2008) and Kelvin York (2010). Since coming back to the Hornet staff as a part timer (2014-2016), Phil worked as the defensive backs coach and special coordinator, having a big impact in the team's recent National Championship title.

Last season, Coach Austin was honored at halftime of the Mt San Jacinto College game on Hal Sherbeck Field by the US Marine Corps as the "Semper Fi Coach of the Year".