Two-time state champion Phil Massey returns to Memphis as Briarcrest football coach

Phil Massey will be the next football coach and high school dean of students at Briarcrest, the school announced Tuesday.

Massey joins the Saints after coaching one season at Chattanooga Christian. Before that he spent 16 seasons at Baylor School in Chattanooga and won two state championships. He's among Tennessee's top 12 active coaches in career victories and has a 184-112 overall record.

Massey was an offensive coordinator at Memphis University School from 2001-05, helping the Owls win two state titles. Being from the area, it's very much a homecoming for Massey.

"It just felt like the right timing," Massey said. "I had communicated with several occasions with the administration at Briarcrest and I just never felt the urge or the need to move or anything. Then recently, I guess it was their persistence and just the timing for me and the opportunity to get back home."

Massey said the school had reached out to him about four times since he began coaching to take over the program. It wasn't until the most recent time he obliged. It also helped with his familiarity with Division II-AAA.

"I feel like it's the best league in the state," Massey said, admitting his bias. "Just from the standpoint of kids are going to be coached up, there's a lot of talent around and it's always competitive. You've got to be on your A-game."

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Massey replaces Brian Stewart, who the school announced wouldn't be returning to the team after the 2022 season ended. Stewart led the Saints beginning in 2014 and made three state quarterfinals, finishing with a 66-34 record. Briarcrest won a region title in 2021 under Stewart as well. 

The Saints went 5-6 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Pope John Paul II in 2022.

“This is an exciting day for the Briarcrest Christian School family and athletic programs,” athletic director Matt Saunders said in a school release.

"Coach Massey is a highly regarded man of integrity who has coached and worked with strong football programs across the state of Tennessee. His commitment to faith, family and Christ-centered discipleship aligns with the mission of Briarcrest Christian School."

Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on Twitter @wynstonw__.