Syracuse names Read acting head coach of women’s basketball program

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Vonn Read, who has been serving as associate head coach of the Syracuse University women’s basketball team, will serve as acting head coach for the 2021-22 basketball season.

The decision follows the resignation of former head coach Quentin Hillsman as an external law investigates his conduct.

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.

“I am grateful to Vonn for stepping up to lead,” John Wildhack, director of athletics at Syracuse University, said in a release. “With Vonn’s vast experience developing student-athletes, I am confident in his ability to guide the women’s basketball program.”

Read — who first joined the Syracuse staff prior to the 2011-12 season — was promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach in October 2013. Previously, Read served as assistant coach at University at Albany and University of Kentucky. He has also held various positions with the United States Basketball League’s Dodge City Legend, the San Antonio Silver Stars, the Orlando Magic, the Charlotte Sting, the Orlando Miracle, and the Phoenix Mercury.

“Our program has everything a coach could ask for, but most especially talented and committed student-athletes who are as successful off the court as they are on it,” Read said. “I’m looking forward to getting back out on the court with the team.”

Read began his coaching career as an assistant at Spelman College in 1997. Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Read served in the U.S. Army from 1989-93 at Fort Drum near Watertown and at Fort Lee, Virginia. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Read graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Clark Atlanta in 1997, where he was a member of the tennis team.

As previously announced, Syracuse has retained an external law firm to conduct an “independent and impartial” review of the program following the allegations against Hillsman.

Syracuse said it has already resulted in “immediate steps,” including contracting with Real Response, a real time anonymous reporting platform for student-athletes that provides a centralized documentation repository.