Ole Miss women’s basketball continues to build toward the future, with head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin announcing the addition of Quentin Hillsman as an assistant coach on Wednesday.
“I am very pleased to be able to hire a coach with the pedigree and experience of Quentin Hillsman,” said McPhee-McCuin. “He is an excellent teacher of the game and also a strong recruiter at both the national and international levels.” “I have known Quentin for over 20 years, and I am confident that he will be a tremendous addition to my coaching staff. We look forward to him and his family joining us at Ole Miss.”
Hillsman joins the Rebels after most recently spending 15 years as the head coach at Syracuse, where he became the all-time winningest coach in school history with a record of 319-169. At the helm of the Orange, Hillsman guided Syracuse to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, as well as coaching 19 all-conference selections, five All-Americans and four WNBA draft picks.
Putting Syracuse on the national map during the 2015-16 season, the Orange reached their first Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four and national final in school history. Hillsman guided his squad to program records with 13 conference victories, five wins over nationally ranked teams, 23 regular season wins and 30 overall wins.
His impact on the Orange was felt quickly after taking over in 2006, guiding Syracuse to its fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2007-08 and a 22-9 record. His efforts earned him recognition as the 2008 BIG EAST Coach of the Year.
Touted as one of the nation’s best recruiters, Hillsman brought in 11 top-25 classes nationally in his final 12 seasons with the Orange. Hillsman also recruited six McDonald’s All-Americans to Syracuse.
Prior to assuming the head coaching position, Hillsman spent one year as an assistant coach with the Orange and has made stops as an assistant at Alabama, American, Siena, and St. Mary’s (Md.). Hillsman also holds expierence at the high school level, leading the Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C., Laurinburg Institute (N.C.), and Newport School in Silver Spring, Md.
Hillsman has also spent time on the international level, serving as an assistant coach for the Netherlands U19 national team in trips to the FIBA U19 World Championships in 2013 and 2015.
A native of Suitland, Md., Hillsman graduated from St. Mary’s College (Md.) in 1993 after leading the Seahawks to two Capital Athletic Conference championships.
Hillsman and his wife Shandrist have two sons, Kyan and Harlem.
“I am extremely grateful and humbled for the opportunity to join the women’s basketball team at Ole Miss, one of the premier programs and premier institutions in the Southeastern Conference.” said Hillsman. “I am ecstatic to work for Coach McPhee-McCuin, one the elite coaches in all of basketball. Coach Yo’s impact on the game, her relentless pursuit of winning the right way, and her proven success on and off the court has me very excited to be part of her staff, Ole Miss and the Oxford community.”
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