By: KSU Sports Information
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KENNESAW, Ga. – A remarkable 35-year career as a head coach in collegiate women’s basketball came to an end on Monday morning, as Kennesaw State’s Colby Tilley officially announced his retirement after 17 years with the university.
Current and former players, media, members of the Department of Athletics administration and members of the campus community gathered at the KSU Convocation Center to watch an emotional coach Tilley make his announcement.
“It was an emotional time because when you do something that you love for 35 years you eventually realize that the time comes where you have to move on and do something else,” Tilley said. “The support that was shown today was overwhelming for me seeing so many people there. Relationships are what it is all about for me so between all my players, and my co-workers at KSU, I will always cherish the memories.”
Coach Tilley became the fifth head coach in the history of the Kennesaw State women’s basketball program in 1995, and from there he lifted the Lady Owls to new heights. In just his second season at the helm, Tilley guided Kennesaw State to a 30-2 record, and led KSU all the way to the Elite-Eight. That same season Tilley earned the Atlanta Tip-Off Club NCAA Division II Coach of the Year award.
Former Kennesaw State Athletic Director Dr. Dave Waples hired coach Tilley, and he had some very kind words to say about the legendary coach.
“One of the best experiences that I had during my 24 years at Kennesaw State was being around Colby Tilley.”
In recent years, coach Tilley guided Kennesaw State through a successful transition to Division I, and this past season the Lady Owls got their first-ever Atlantic Sun Conference tournament victory. Tilley has also done an excellent job of developing his players over the years as he helped several earn individual accolades, including Britteny Henderson who was the 2008 A-Sun Player of the Year, Greteya Kelley who was the 2008 A-Sun Defensive Player of the Year and Taylor Mills who was recently named as the 2012 A-Sun Freshman of the Year.
Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams also expressed how thankful he is to coach Tilley and all he has done for the university over the years.
“Coach Tilley’s name is synonymous with Lady Owls basketball,” Williams said. “He has guided the Owls through all levels of collegiate competition. On behalf of the entire Kennesaw State community I want to personally thank Colby for his hard work, dedication and commitment to our women’s basketball program. The Owl family wishes him well as we know he will always have the Black and Gold close to his heart.”
Tilley will leave a lasting legacy at Kennesaw State, and in the women’s basketball coaching community, as he will retire as the winningest coach in program history accumulating a 290-208 record at KSU. In his 35-year coaching career, which began at Truett-McConnell College in 1976, he has an overall record of 742-328.
Current assistant coach Kim Tingley has been named as the Interim Head Coach of the Women’s Basketball program, and the nationwide search for a new Head Coach will commence immediately.
