SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Quentin Hillsman — head coach of the Syracuse University (SU) women’s basketball program for the last 15 seasons — has resigned as an ongoing SU investigation of his conduct continues.
The probe followed the departure of numerous team members through college basketball’s transfer portal following the most recent basketball season, as well as an article by The Athletic, alleging Hillsman, 50, engaged in bullying and inappropriate conduct.
Syracuse University Director of Athletics John Wildhack issued the following statement on Monday about Hillsman’s resignation:
“The University has accepted Coach Quentin Hillsman’s resignation. Coach Hillsman and I agreed that parting ways is in the best interest of the University, the program and our student-athletes. We wish him and his family all the best. Interim leadership for the Women’s Basketball Program will be announced in the coming days. As previously announced, the University retained an external law firm to conduct a review of the program. That review is ongoing, and the Department of Athletics will address issues that are identified at the conclusion of the review. We remain focused on providing the best experience possible — one that prioritizes the well-being of all student-athletes and positions them for success in competition, in the classroom, in their communities and in life beyond Syracuse University,” Wildhack said.
In his 15 seasons with the program, Syracuse had 13 consecutive postseason appearances; eight trips to the NCAA Tournament, including an appearance in the 2016 national championship game; 19 all-conference selections; five All-Americans, and four WNBA draft picks, per his biography on cuse.com, the website of Syracuse University Athletics.
Under Hillsman, the Orange own a 319-169 overall record, averaging nearly 20 victories per season. He owns the most wins of any Syracuse women’s basketball head coach.