Syracuse University extends contract for women’s basketball coach Quentin Hillsman

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University and head women’s basketball coach Quentin Hillsman have agreed to a contract extension that will keep Hillsman on the Orange sidelines through 2024.

Syracuse didn’t release any financial details of the contract in a news release issued Thursday afternoon.

“I am very grateful for the confidence and commitment Chancellor Syverud and John Wildhack have entrusted in me and my staff to lead this program,” Hillsman said in the release. “I am very fortunate and appreciative of this opportunity.”

During Hillsman’s 12 years leading the Syracuse women’s basketball program, the Orange has reached the postseason 11 times, including seven NCAA Tournaments and the 2016 national-championship game. The program has achieved a perfect single-year [academic progress rate] score six times and a [graduation success rate] of more than 90 percent during Hillsman’s tenure, per the release.

The academic-progress rate “holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes through a team-based metric that accounts for the eligibility and retention of each student-athlete for each academic term,” according to the NCAA website.

“Coach Hillsman has developed our program into a national contender during his 12 years here,” John Wildhack, director of athletics at Syracuse University, said. “This long-term contract extension and commitment provides continuity that is essential to achieve the goals we have for our women’s basketball program. We look forward to having Coach Q here to continue leading the team and our student-athletes to even greater success on the court and in the classroom.”

The Orange women have won at least 20 games in 10 of Hillsman’s 12 seasons at Syracuse. Prior to his arrival, the program only had two 20-win seasons in its history, the school said.

His teams have posted an 87-4 record at home against non-conference opponents during his reign and a 143-41 record overall in the Dome during his tenure.

Hillsman holds a 263-136 record as Syracuse’s head coach and helped the Orange women to their sixth-consecutive NCAA Tournament this past season.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com