Quentin Hillsman signed a five-year contract to coach the Syracuse women’s basketball team Tuesday night, four months after accepting an interim role following Keith Cieplicki’s resignation in June.

Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross will announce the signing in a news conference today at 11 a.m. in Manley Field House.

Gross and Hillsman could not be reached for comment.

Hillsman, who joined the SU staff in March 2005 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, officially takes over a program that went 28-55 over three years under Cieplicki. Syracuse finished last in the Big East in 2005-06 with a 2-14 record.

Gross said in August he didn’t hire a permanent head coach because of the time of Cieplicki’s resignation and that he wanted to take his time.

The AD said it was an easy decision to decide between Hillsman and Matt Luneau, the other assistant coach, for the interim tag.

‘When I evaluated both of these guys, there’s no question that Quentin was the guy who should be the head coach,’ Gross told The Daily Orange. ‘He’s way more talented than I ever thought he was. He’s very organized, gets it, knows it.’

The team returns leading scorer Vaida Sipaviciute and gains recruits Fantasia Goodwin, a junior transfer, and Nicole Michael, a freshman.

‘The guy I have now, Quentin, he’s got such passion for this job,’ Gross said. ‘The good recruits that have come in are his. He’s got a great reputation. I think he’s going to do very well.’

Published on October 16, 2006 at 12:00 pm