Rebecca Tillett has been named the head women’s basketball coach at Saint Louis University, becoming the eighth head coach in the program’s history.
Tillett spent the last four years reinvigorating the women’s team at Longwood University, a tenure that culminated with a conference championship, the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance and the Lancers’ first NCAA Tournament victory.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Tillett and her family to the Billiken athletics program,” SLU Director of Athletics Chris May said. “Rebecca comes highly recommended from the highest levels of women’s basketball. Her skills at developing women’s basketball players and leaders will allow our program to meet our goals, which are to compete for A-10 championships annually and play in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. Rebecca’s preparation and skills are a perfect fit for our program.”
“I’d like to thank Chris May, Dr. Pestello, Janet Oberle and Annie Reis for giving me the exciting opportunity to lead these Billiken women,” Tillett said. “The department is clear in its strategic objectives of educating, competing and building community. The consistent support and investment in the development of women really drew me to the university. In addition, the passionate way that the St. Louis community supports Billiken Athletics is inspiring and infectious, and we will need everyone to support us on our pursuit of excellence in the classroom and on the court. The opportunity to coach at this special university while immersed in an environment of love, amidst passionate support for great teams, makes me excited to begin OUR journey to championships. Go Billikens!”
Tillett inherited a Longwood squad that was just 31-119 in the five seasons prior to her arrival, and she turned the Lancers into a postseason team in just her third year. She went 36-19 across the previous two seasons and, in addition to this year’s NCAA Tournament, helped the Lancers earn a spot in the Women’s Basketball Invitational in 2020-21.
Winners in 15 of their final 17 games this past season, the Lancers turned in their best overall and league records since joining the Big South almost 10 years ago, finishing 22-12 overall and 15-3 in the conference. Five Lancers earned Big South postseason accolades for a second consecutive season, including the league’s Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
The Lancers took down top-seeded Campbell 86-47 in the Big South Championship final on March 6, punching their ticket to Longwood’s first-ever NCAA Tournament. Tillett’s transformation of the program took the Lancers from a 3-27 mark in her first season to Big South Tournament champions and March Madness participants in just three years.
The 22-12 overall record stands as Longwood’s best in its Division I era, a mark that beats the 16-13 record of the 2007-08 team in the Lancers’ first Division I season.
Tillett’s team this past year was strong defensively, ranking in the top 35 nationally in blocks (4.7, 27th) and steals (9.9, 35th) per game.
Prior to Longwood, Tillett began to climb the ranks on Navy’s bench in 2014-15, earning a promotion to recruiting coordinator in 2016-17 and associate head coach in 2017-18. In her four seasons, Navy went 81-47, including a program-record 25 wins in 2017-18, and reached the Patriot League Championship final and the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
Before her stop at Navy, Tillett spent one season as an assistant coach with Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2013-14, where she helped the Crimson Hawks to an 18-10 record.
Prior to coaching collegiately, Tillett amassed a 166-72 overall record in a 10-year tenure with Virginia high schools, including stints at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas (2001-07) and Forest Park High School in Woodbridge (2007-13).
Tillett earned her bachelor’s degree from The College of William & Mary in 1999, finishing her collegiate playing career that season as team captain.
Saint Louis University will introduce Tillett to the public and media on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Chaifetz Arena. For those unable to attend, the event will be live streamed here.
