Hill resigns YSU post

She hasn’t had a winning season in the five years she’s been the coach.

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State women’s basketball coach Tisha Hill will resign at the end of the season, Youngstown State director of athletics Ron Strollo announced Friday.

Hill is 42-97 in five seasons with the Penguins, who conclude the regular season today at Loyola of Chicago. YSU plays host to Detroit in a Horizon League tournament game Monday at Beeghly Center.

Hill coached YSU to a 24-57 record in Horizon League games.

“I would like to thank Youngstown State University for giving me the opportunity to lead its women’s basketball program over the past five seasons,” Hill said in a statement. “However, at this time, I feel it is in the best interest for both the program and myself that I step down.”

Hill was in Chicago and not available for further comment.

“I also want to thank the players and coaches who have worked tremendously hard and always represented YSU in a first-class manner,” Hill continued in her statement.

Hill replaced Ed DiGregorio following the 2002-03 season and has never had a winning season.

The Penguins went 4-24 in 2003-04, Hill’s first season, and have lost 20 or more games two other seasons.

YSU finished 12-16 in Hill’s second season, 2004-05, and has matched that mark entering today’s game.

“We would like to thank Coach Hill for her work and effort with our women’s basketball program the past five years,” Strollo said. “Her student-athletes have always done well in the classroom and have represented Youngstown State in a positive manner.”

“The timing of this announcement should not overshadow the importance of our final regular season game at UIC and we realize there is still the Horizon League Tournament to prepare for.”

YSU’s only Horizon League first team selection (Jen Perugini, 2005) was coached by Hill, as were two Horizon all-newcomer team selections (Lauren Branson, 2005, and Heather Karner, 2007).

Prior to taking the YSU job, Hill was assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ball State. Before that she spent four seasons as an assistant at Virginia Tech.

A national search for Hill’s replacement will commence immediately at the conclusion of the season, according to Strollo.