Mel Phillips

{{Short description|American football player (born 1942)}}

{{for|the American radio programmer|Mel Phillips (radio programmer)}}{{Blp more sources|date=June 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Mel Phillips

| image =

| number = 32

| position = Safety

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|01|6}}

| birth_place = Shelby, North Carolina, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lbs = 198

| high_school = Cleveland (Shelby, North Carolina)

| college = North Carolina A&T

| draftyear = 1966

| draftround = 5

| draftpick = 69

| afldraftyear = 1966

| afldraftround = 19

| afldraftpick = 172

| pastteams =

| pastcoaching =

| pfr = P/PhilMe20

}}

Melvin Phillips Jr. (born January 6, 1942), is an American former professional football player and coach. He played his entire 12-year NFL career, from 1966 to 1977, with the San Francisco 49ers.

Early life and education

Phillips was born on January 6, 1942, in Shelby, North Carolina, where he went to Cleveland High School.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/mmditotal49ers0000unse/page/96/mode/2up?q=%22Mel+Phillips%22 |title=Total 49ers: The Official Encyclopedia of the San Franciso 49ers |date=August 1998 |publisher=HarperResource |isbn=9780061058974 |pages=96}} He went to North Carolina A&T State University.

NFL career

Phillips was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1966, as a 5th round draft pick. From 1966 to 1977, he played a total of 147 games for the 49ers.

Coaching career

Phillips coached the defensive backs for the Detroit Lions from 1980 to 1984. He was an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins from 1985 to 2007. Originally hired by Don Shula, Phillips was retained in order by Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wannstedt, Nick Saban, and Cam Cameron.

References