Denmark Technical College welcomes James Hill Jr. as athletic director and head women’s basketball coach

Former Virginia State University women’s head basketball coach, James Hill Jr., has been selected as the next athletic director and head women’s basketball coach at Denmark Technical College.

Hill spent 16 seasons at the helm of the women’s basketball program at VSU, where he led the Trojans to five 20-win seasons and a 2015 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Championship. He has been named the CIAA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year three times.  In total, Hill has led the Trojans to four trips to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament with four CIAA Division Championships. During the 2017 season, Hill claimed his 200th victory as head coach of the Trojans.

Hill has twice been named HBCU Mid-Major Coach of the Year and in 2015 earned the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Coach of the Year Award. He posted the longest winning streak in VSU program history (15-0) and has coached nine All-CIAA performers. He was voted into the Virginia State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. Hill’s accomplishments don’t end on the court. During his tenure, his team claimed the CIAA highest team Grade-Point Average Award.

Prior to coaching at VSU, Hill served as assistant women’s basketball coach at Shaw University where his duties included recruiting, scouting and skill development. From 2003-2005, the Shaw Bears captured three CIAA championships and three Black College championships, earning a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2005. Hill was named Shaw Assistant Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the Shaw University Hall of Fame in 2017.

A native of Macon, GA, Hill was a top player in the area as a member of the Northeast High School boys’ varsity basketball team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in allied health and professional recreation from Shaw University, where he was a standout guard for three seasons.

“We are elated to have Hill on board as we rise to take Denmark Technical College Athletics to the next level. His experience leading athletic programs at four-year HBCUs will be pivotal in preparing our student-athletes for the next stages in their careers,” said Denmark Technical College President and CEO Willie L. Todd Jr., Ph.D. “His enthusiasm and wealth of experience are the magic combination we need to help Denmark Tech women’s basketball and the athletics program reach their full potential.”

“I can’t wait to step into this new role and carry on the tradition of excellence with the Denmark Technical College Panthers.  I’m thankful to Dr. Todd for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to helping Denmark Tech become one of the best junior college athletic departments in the country,” added Hill.