Luke Dunavant
Ole Miss Women’s Basketball Head Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin announced on Wednesday, April 3, that the program is hiring former Syracuse University Head Coach Quentin Hillsman as an assistant coach. Earlier in the week, sources reported the dismissal of assistant coaches Chris Ayers and Bojan Jankovic. With this hire, the program has filled at least one hole in the coaching staff.
Hillsman was the head coach for Syracuse Women’s Basketball from 2006 to 2021. His time in Syracuse, N.Y., came to an end following the 2020-2021 season amid a controversy that caused him to resign while the university investigated him for inappropriate behavior.
Reporters from The Athletic were the first to investigate allegations against Hillsman of inappropriate behavior. The resulting story contained interviews with sources who accused Hillsman of using inappropriate language, regularly threatening players and repeatedly kissing them on the forehead, which made players feel uncomfortable. There were also allegations of him mistreating players, not giving them water breaks and hiring an assistant coach who had been accused of sexual harassment.
The findings of the external investigation Syracuse University performed as a result of the allegations were made public in September 2021.
“While a number of players enjoyed positive experiences with the program, a concerning number of players and managers who came forward described an unhealthy environment and culture,” Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack said in a statement.
The Daily Mississippian reached out to Ole Miss Athletics for a comment on The Athletic’s article and to gauge the vetting process for this hire. Ole Miss Athletics declined to comment on the article but provided insight into the hiring process.
“As with all new campus hires, the university conducted its standard vetting procedure on Coach Hillsman, including a comprehensive background check,” Ole Miss Athletics said in an email. “Additionally, our coaching staff has maintained a close relationship with Coach Hillsman for decades and knows firsthand the type of coach and person that he is. Others in the industry have expressed the same sentiment on his high character and productive contributions at past institutions. From Coach Hillsman’s arrival on our campus, it has been evident that he is not only an outstanding coach but a family man that will make a positive impact on our program and community.”
Coach McPhee-McCuin has enjoyed a 20-year professional and personal relationship with Hillsman. Hillsman, a 53-year-old coaching veteran, brings with him a wealth of basketball knowledge. In his time as head coach for Syracuse Women’s Basketball, he took his team to eight straight postseasons, each of which ended in the first or second round. By the time he left, he had accumulated a record of 319-169 (175-81 in the ACC).
“I am very pleased to be able to hire a coach with the pedigree and experience of Quentin Hillsman,” McPhee-McCuin said in an April 3 Ole Miss Women’s Basketball press release. “He is an excellent teacher of the game and also a strong recruiter at both the national and international levels.”
Hillsman expressed his excitement to coach the Lady Rebels upon announcement of his hire.
“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.” Hillsman said in the release. “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.”
