Bio

Phil Kuchta, who has strong ties to the high school scene in Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties, joined The College of Wooster men’s basketball staff prior to the 2022-23 season. Kuchta, who assists with all aspects of the program, has coached at the collegiate level since 2018.

Since joining Wooster's staff, the Fighting Scots won the 2022-23 North Coast Athletic Conference title, swept the NCAC Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player awards in 2023-24, and the team ended 2023-24 ranked No. 2 nationally in field-goal percentage.

Kuchta arrived in Wooster after serving on Baldwin Wallace University’s staff since 2018. There, he was part of the Yellow Jackets’ 2019 Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament title and first-round NCAA Tournament victory, firsts for the program since 2006. At BW, Kuchta assisted with on-court coaching in practice, recruiting and evaluating student-athletes, analyzing game film, scouting, and travel and logistics.

Prior to transitioning to the college ranks, Kuchta transformed Elyria Catholic High School’s boys’ program into a highly-respected one within the Cleveland area. Kuchta turned around a program that went 4-18 in his first year to one that made four district appearances in a five-year stretch and won two conference titles. He has extensive experience on the camp circuit working Ivy League camps at Columbia University and Yale University.

The former high school educator holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cleveland State University. Prior to embarking on a career in coaching and education, Kuchta honorably served in the United States Marine Corps for six years.