Oglethorpe University

Philip Ponder Profile

First Season as Head Coach: 2003-04
Tenure: 2025-26 is his 23rd season
Total W-L at Oglethorpe: 307-260
Total W-L Overall: 307-260
Alma Mater: LaGrange, 1995

Philip Ponder begins his 23rd season as head coach and 29th season overall at Oglethorpe. Hired by former head coach and athletic director Jack Berkshire in summer 1997 as a graduate assistant, Ponder became the top assistant under Jim Owen upon Berkshire's retirement. Ponder held that position for five years until he was named head coach in March 2003.

At the time of his hiring, Ponder became one of the youngest head coaches in the school's basketball history and the youngest coach in the conference. The Stormy Petrels have become one of the top teams in the Southern Athletic Association under his leadership.

Program Success

Having taken over a team that had finished last or next-to-last for four consecutive seasons, Ponder immediately turned the Petrels' fortunes around, leading the team all the way to the conference championship game in his first year at the helm. In his second season, the Petrels won their most games in six years and achieved their highest regular season conference finish in seven years.

The program has continued its upward trajectory, and in the 2013-14 season, the Petrels won a modern school record 21 games and reached a high ranking of No. 21 in NCAA Division III after starting the season 14-1. The season ended with an overtime loss in the SAA championship game.

During Ponder’s tenure, Oglethorpe has recorded the second-most wins of any team in the conference and lately the team has stapled itself to the upper-echelon of the league. In 10 of the past 11 seasons, Ponder led the team to a fourth-place or higher finish, including a runner-up finish in two of the past three seasons.

Style of Play

Ponder has introduced an exciting up-tempo style of basketball that has helped the Stormy Petrels lead the conference in scoring, 3-pointers made, free throws made, turnover margin, assist-to-turnover ratio, steals, and turnovers forced. They also have broken numerous school and conference records.

The style of play is one that players love. This exciting style, as well as the renewed winning, has helped fan attendance almost triple since he took over. 

Last Season

Ponder led Oglethorpe to another high finish in the conference, taking the team to third overall and a semifinal finish in the conference tournament. The team went 16-10 overall with Perry Robinson and Malachi Dooley making All-SAA first team, and Dylan Pumpian making All-SAA honorable mention. 

Ponder’s Teams in the Community

Ponder has prioritized making an impact on his players off the court as well. From his first season, the team has been involved in giving back to the community. In fall 2003, the Petrels assisted the Chastain Horse Park riding program, which serves kids with cognitive, physical and emotional disabilities. For 11 years, his program partnered with the Brookhaven Boys and Girls Clubs, giving scholarships for the annual summer camp and volunteering hundreds of hours with the after-school program.

For their efforts, Ponder’s team was awarded in October 2006 with the Volunteer of the Year award for the entire Metro Atlanta area, which covers over 25 counties.

The past several years, the team has worked with nearby PATH Academy, where players served as classroom assistants, one-on-one mentors, and works with the school’s basketball club and the Piedmont School, helping autistic students with recess.

Outside Oglethorpe | Background

Ponder is one of the co-founders of the Georgia Basketball Coaches Association and currently serves as president of the organization. He is also a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Ponder has served three years on the NCAA’s Regional Advisory Committee and has been named the Division III state coach of the year on three occasions.

Education | Personal

Ponder played for and graduated from Reinhardt College and LaGrange College (1995). He earned his master's degree from Oglethorpe.

Ponder served as an assistant coach for eight years under five different head coaches at three different programs. He was the assistant coach at Heritage High School in Conyers.

Timeline

March 2003- Hired as head coach
December 1, 2003- First win as head coach
November 23, 2010- 100th win as head coach
March 28, 2014- Named GABCA Georgia Division III Coach of the Year

Year-by-Year