Basketball has always been a major part of Philip McClintock's life. As a kid, he'd always be shooting hoops. He went on to become an NAIA All-American and was eventually inducted into the Ottawa University Athletics Hall of Fame.
When he realized he wasn't going to be an NBA superstar, he knew the next best thing was becoming a coach. And that's exactly what he did.
With a passion for the game and a heart for helping others, McClintock has quickly become a beloved coach at Friends University, where he's been leading the men's basketball team for the past two seasons.
"I come from a long line of teachers and educators in my family, and so I knew going the education route and coaching route was probably what I wanted to do," McClintock said. "My mom even has a paper somewhere that I wrote in high school that says, 'When I graduate college, I want to go be a graduate assistant somewhere and get my Master's degree and then I want to coach basketball at the college level.' I knew that this was something I always wanted to do, and lucky for me, things have fallen into place and I've been able to make that happen."
Building a winning culture
McClintock's coaching philosophy is centered around the belief that coaching is more than just a job – it's a privilege.
"My coach that I coached under at Ottawa always said, 'It's better than a real job,'" McClintock chuckled. "Why do I want to be a college basketball coach? Because I get to coach a sport I love, be around guys, and be a part of a team. When I'm not in practice, I'm recruiting, which means I'm going to talk to people and watch basketball. What I do is not a real job. It's a passion and a calling, and I'm grateful to do what I love every day."
McClintock's passion for coaching and his dedication to his players have not gone unnoticed. Since he joined Friends University, the men's basketball team has seen significant improvements both on and off the court.
"The administration, from top to bottom, wants to have success," McClintock said. "They want you to win, and they're willing to support you in whatever ways they can. They want us to have success at the national level, and those are my goals as a coach. It's great to be at a place where our goals are directly aligned."
A Supportive Community
One of the reasons McClintock chose to coach at Friends University is the sense of community and support he feels on campus.
"It's really hard to fall through the cracks as an athlete here," McClintock said. "The professors care, it's a small campus, but it's in the city of Wichita, so there's a lot around. It's a place where everybody cares, and you have a connection with people from pretty much every single department. That sense of community and support is invaluable, and it's what makes Friends University such a special place to be."
McClintock also appreciates the faith-based environment at Friends University and sees it as an incredibly valuable and important piece to who he is and to the identity of Friends Athletics and Friends University.
"The faith-based piece here is very important to me, being a Christian," McClintock said. "It's important for me to be in that environment, not only for myself, but for my student-athletes, where I know they can be comfortable expressing themselves and their beliefs and their religion. It's a very welcoming place, and it's easy to recruit to."
A Lasting Impact
In his short time at Friends University, McClintock has already made a lasting impact on his players and the university as a whole. This season, the Falcons got off to their best 10-game conference start in a decade with eight wins in their first 10 league games. McClintock's dedication to his players and their personal development is evident in everything he does.
"One thing I love about coaching is my family being a part of it," McClintock said. "Having my family at games, having my kids at practices and shootarounds, and them interacting with my players. It's important for me to create a family atmosphere and be an example for our players. If I can somehow be half of what my mentors and coaches have been to me, then that will complete my goal of impacting student-athletes on and off the court."
McClintock's journey as a coach has been marked by his passion for the game, his dedication to his players, and his love for Friends University. With his leadership and guidance, the men's basketball team at Friends University is not only achieving success on the court, but also growing as individuals and forming lifelong bonds. McClintock's impact as a coach goes beyond wins and losses – it's about shaping the lives of his players and creating a legacy of excellence at Friends University.
