HBCU basketball sees another off-season shake-up as Cleo Hill Jr., the accomplished head coach of the Winston-Salem State Rams, has been announced as the new head coach for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, per an announcement by the UMES athletic department.

Hill’s led Winston-Salem to immense success. Over the past six seasons, he transformed the Rams into a formidable force in college basketball. Last season, Hill led the Rams to an impressive 19-9 overall record and a flawless 6-0 mark in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Northern Division. The Rams held the top record in the CIAA and were ranked eight times in the D2CSC Atlantic Poll.

Hill’s ability to develop talent was evident, with standout players like Jaylen Alston and Isaac Parson earning All-CIAA selections. Alston was also named CIAA Player of the Year, while Imajae Dodd took home CIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors. Hill himself was awarded CIAA Coach of the Year. Furthermore, he was chosen to coach at the prestigious NBA Draft Combine earlier this year.

The 2022-2023 season saw Hill guide the Rams to a 21-9 record, clinching the CIAA Tournament title and earning a spot in the NCAA Division II tournament. Player accolades under his leadership included CIAA Tournament MVP Jaylen Alston and All-CIAA selection Jaylon Gibson. Hill’s contributions extended beyond the court, as he was selected by WSSU Athletic Director Etienne Thomas to participate in the Leadership Winston-Salem program and was named to the North Carolina Black Business Power 100 List.

UMES is looking to Hill to bring his winning ways to the Hawks, who ended last season with a 9-20 record and an early exit from the MEAC Tournament. Vice President of Athletics Tara A. Owens expressed her enthusiasm for Hill’s appointment, stating, “We are excited about the future of Hawk basketball as we welcome Cleo Hill, Jr. to UMES. During our national search, the hiring committee received an influx of interest from qualified candidates. After a thorough and timely review of each candidate, Coach Hill stood out as the right person to lead our men’s basketball program. Coach Hill has a proven track record of building winning programs with success at Cheyney, Shaw, and Winston-Salem State. He has a tremendous reputation as a coach and has a great vision for Hawk basketball. Under his leadership, we will continue to reach new heights of success on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.”

Hill himself is eager to start this new chapter.

“I am ready for the opportunity to lead our men’s basketball program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. I appreciate the campus community, President Heidi M. Anderson, Vice President Tara Owens, and the search committee for their efforts throughout the hiring process,” says Hill. “My past experiences and success as well as my passion for building programs have prepared me for this next step in my coaching career. Our goal is to build Hawk basketball into a perennial championship contender while winning in the classroom and positively representing UMES in the community. I am enthusiastic about the future and look forward to developing a team that our alumni, student body and fans will be proud of.”

Hill’s departure leaves a significant void at Winston-Salem State, a program that has thrived under his leadership. The university now faces the challenge of finding a successor who can maintain the winning tradition established by Hill and continue the legacy of legendary Rams coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines.

Meanwhile, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore stands to gain immensely from Hill’s expertise and proven track record. The Hawks finished last season 9-20, including an unceremonious first-round exit to North Carolina Central in the MEAC Tournament.