Iowa High School Girls Basketball Team Promotes From Within For New Head Coach

Bryana Phillips is tasked with replacing Dr. Anthony Pappas at Waterloo West.

Waterloo West head coach Dr. Anthony Pappas cheers during the 5A quarterfinals of the Iowa high school girls state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. The Jaguars defeated the Wahawks, 60-51. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

For the first time in nearly 50 years, an Iowa high school girls basketball program will be under the direction of a new head coach for the upcoming 2026-2027 season.

Waterloo West High School announced the hiring of Bryana Phillips to replace Dr. Anthony Pappas. Pappas announced his retirement after this past season, which marked his 47th season leading the Wahawks.

A native of California, Phillips spent the past three years working under Pappas as an assistant at Waterloo West. 

“Dr. Pappas led the West High girls basketball program with passion and purpose over the last 47 years,” Waterloo West High School Athletic Director Tom Ulses told KWWL. “He provided access and opportunity for the girls of Waterloo, and I am confident that Coach Phillips will bring that same passion to our program.”

Dr. Anthony Pappas Helped Iowa Girls Basketball Program Reach State Championship Game, 10 Other State Appearances

Pappas made his decision after leading Waterloo West to a record of 11-12 during the 2025-2026 campaign. From 2019-2023, the Wahawks won at least 19 games each season, including three of those years with at least 20.

Waterloo West reached the Class 5A Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Tournament championship game at the end of the 2021-2022 season, falling to Johnston. They reached the state tournament four consecutive years at one point of Pappas’ stint as head coach, and made 11 appearances in the elite eight overall.

“I was a tremendously lucky individual to have landed a job I loved at a very young age, coaching in a district that supported me for decades,” Pappas said at the time of his announcement. “Looking back, I have no regrets; being a coach, teacher and administrator has truly been a life well lived.

“I am honored that my work allowed me to positively impact lives not only here in Waterloo, but across the state and the entire country.”

Waterloo West Rebuilding After Loss Of Several Key Seniors

Phillips will inherit a group of returning players that includes starters Kingslee Thomas and Maelyn Wass. Thomas averaged six points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and two assists per game, as Wass added two points and nearly two rebounds a night.

“I am excited and honored for the opportunity to lead this next chapter of Waterloo West Women’s Basketball as Head Coach,” Phillips said. “I hope to build upon Dr. Pappas’ incredible standard of excellence while guiding our young women athletes to a strong and successful future.”

Waterloo West and Waterloo East are set to unify high schools, forming Waterloo United, which has appointed former University of Northern Iowa football player Tim Moses as athletic director.