NASHVILLE — Tennessee State head men's basketball coach Nolan Smith announced the addition of veteran recruiter and coach Dalonte Hill as an assistant coach.
Hill brings nearly 20 years of coaching experience across the Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA and Southland conferences, along with a reputation as a program builder and elite recruiter. He most recently served on staff at Chicago State (2024–25) and Stephen F. Austin, and previously held assistant coaching roles at Maryland, Kansas State and Charlotte.
"Coach Hill is wired to win," Smith said. "He comes here with a wealth of experience and a mentality to push these young men every day and build winners. He's a big-time relationship guy in the recruiting world with ties across the country and internationally. He will find talent that fits our culture. From the minute I met him, I knew Coach Hill was someone who truly loves building young men the right way. He knows what it takes to be successful on a daily basis and will do whatever it takes to help us create a culture of winning at TSU."
Widely regarded as one of the nation's top recruiters, Hill helped deliver back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes at Maryland (2012–13) while serving under Mark Turgeon. At Kansas State (2006–11), he played a central role in the program's rise to national prominence under Bob Huggins and Frank Martin. Promoted to associate head coach, Hill was instrumental in assembling a top-rated 2006 signing class that included Michael Beasley and Bill Walker, both McDonald's All-Americans. In total, Hill helped bring four McDonald's All-Americans to Kansas State while guiding the Wildcats to four 20-win seasons in five years.
Hill began his college coaching career at his alma mater, Charlotte (2003–05), where he helped lead the 49ers to a 61-30 record, three straight postseason appearances and back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths. During his tenure, Charlotte produced two All-Americans and a Conference USA Player of the Year.
As a player, Hill competed for Charlotte, helping the 49ers to three postseason appearances, including a trip to the 1998 NCAA Tournament Round of 32. He completed his collegiate career at Bowie State before earning his degree in sociology from Charlotte in 2001.
Hill's combination of recruiting expertise, player development and winning experience adds a proven voice to Smith's staff as the Tigers continue building toward national success.
