Coach Q resigns as Syracuse women's basketball head coach amid conduct investigation

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University's women's basketball head coach Quentin Hillsman has resigned his position, Syracuse University Athletic Director John Wildhack announced Monday.

"Coach Hillsman and I agreed that parting ways is in the best interest of the University, the program and our student-athletes. We wish him and his family all the best," Wildhack said in a statement.

Coach Q's resignation comes as S.U. investigates the program following an article published in The Athletic in late June where as many as 19 people formerly involved in the program accused Hillsman of inappropriate behavior. The review is ongoing by an independent law firm.

The article published on June 29 alleges Hillsman would frequently use inappropriate language, regularly threaten players, make players uncomfortable by kissing them on the forehead, hired an assistant who had been accused of sexual harassment that made both players and managers uncomfortable, and refused to give players water breaks after periods of running.

The article also claims that two people witnessed Coach Hillsman put his arms around a player from behind and place his hands "near her pelvic region."

11 players from last year's women's basketball team are transferring. As many as 20 players have left the program since 2018.

Wildhack said interim leadership for the team "will be announced in the coming days.