KNIGHT MOVES: Regents School of Austin Football plans for 2026 coaching change
Change is coming to one of the premiere private school football programs in the state of Texas – but not just yet.
Current Head Coach Tim Phillips, who took over from long-time former coach Beck Brydon in 2020, will complete his sixth season at the helm of the Knights this fall before continuing as an assistant coach at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Current Athletic Director and Assistant Coach Kyle Shotwell will step into the head coaching role for the 2026 season.
“The Regents football program has a long history of success,” stated Phillips who began as volunteer coach in 2011 and became Brydon’s defensive coordinator in 2016. “I took over a program that had won over 90 percent of its games over four years, and our staff has kept up that winning tradition.”
The Knights have made deep playoff runs every year under his tenure, winning the TAPPS Division II State Championship in 2020, his first season. Regents was also State Runner-Up in 2023 and reached the State Semifinals last year. Under Phillips, He’ll have one final campaign to add to that success before stepping back.
“It has always been one of my goals for one of my assistant coaches to take over when he was ready,” Phillips explained his decision to hand the reigns to Shotwell who joined Regents as Athletic Director in 2023.
After a collegiate playing career at Cal Poly, where he was inducted into Cal Poly’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024, and stops on several NFL practice squads, Shotwell will inherit a program steeped in tradition and success.
“It's an incredible honor to lead a program with such a rich tradition,” Shotwell stated. “The foundation laid by Tim Phillips and Beck Brydon over 20 years, marked by discipleship, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, will continue to be our standard.
“I'm humbled to carry that torch forward,” he continued. “I couldn't be more excited to build on that legacy with a new generation of young athletes committed to Christ, character development, and championship-level football.”
With the present and future of Knights Football secure, Regents School can look ahead to a bright future.
“I am thankful to have such incredible men and faithful servant leaders as Tim Phillips and Kyle Shotwell shepherding our football program now and into the future,” Head of School, Dr. Dan Peterson, said. “Their commitment to discipling student-athletes and honoring Christ through competition is the foundation of Regents athletics.”
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