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Back where it all began: New Nova women’s basketball coach Dillon returns to alma mater near hometown
Villanova women’s basketball head coach Denise Dillon knows a little bit about the school and its surrounding area. Growing up in nearby Broomall and playing basketball at Villanova, Dillon understands the culture and tradition of Wildcats basketball. (Photo: Drexel University Athletics, Courtesy: Villanova University Athletics)

Back where it all began: New Nova women’s basketball coach Dillon returns to alma mater near hometown

VILLANOVA, Pa. (BVM) — Denise Dillon knows a lot about the women’s basketball program at Villanova University and has known it since she was a young girl. Growing up in Broomall, Pa., only six miles and a 10-minute drive from the university, Dillon learned about Villanova and its athletics programs early.

“It worked out nicely having a number of college programs right near me growing up,” Dillon said. “My dad was big on taking us to different college games. … I was fortunate to grow up going to Villanova and St. Joe’s women’s [basketball] games. It really started my love for playing and really seeing what potentially could be for my future. … It was exciting to have such great basketball in your backyard.”

Dillon would attend Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield and burst onto the scene with her skills on the basketball court. As a star for the Lions over her four years with the team, Dillon was able to draw the attention of the big school down the road, Villanova. After her time with the Lions, Dillon would accept a scholarship to Villanova where she would be coached under the tutelage of legend Harry Perretta.

“We had a strong program, a nationally ranked program, at O’Hara,” Dillon said. “It wasn’t until my sophomore year that coaches made me aware that if I continued to develop and work I could potentially play in college. … I would certainly say it was the people that drew me to Villanova for sure and then Harry’s insight of what he saw in my game and what he thought I could do at the next level.”

Her time with the Wildcats was nothing short of amazing. Dillon would play for Perretta from 1993-1996 and would help the team to an overall record of 68-43 over those seasons. While playing for the Wildcats, Dillon would score 1,355 points and grab 677 rebounds while also being named all-Big East once, all-Philadelphia Big 5 three times and to the Big East all-rookie team as a freshman.

With her skills as one of the best players in program history, Dillon was enshrined into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Villanova Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2012. Her previous stops also recognized Dillon’s great success as she was also enshrined into the Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Cardinal O’Hara High School Hall of Fame in 2018.

“I think it’s funny even talking about playing days,” Dillon said. “I’ve been coaching now 18 seasons as a head coach. You forget a lot about your playing days because everything is about coaching and how to get your teams to be their best individually and collectively. But I really just remember having really good chemistry with my teammates and that camaraderie and commitment to just being better.”

Following her playing career at Villanova, Dillon would join her former coach Perretta on the sidelines for the women’s basketball team. From 1997-2001, Dillon would learn lessons in coaching and leadership from one of the best in the business to ever do it, something she does not take lightly.

“It was immeasurable how much I learned,” Dillon said. “As a player, the importance of detail. Buying into the small things that put the pieces together for the big picture. But it is all about the relationships and getting to know people and that’s where Harry always separated himself from others. Looking out for your best interests and it wasn’t always basketball. There was the push, the demand, on the court, but there was always a bigger picture of preparing us for life.”

Dillon would find another opportunity at nearby Drexel University in Philadelphia where she would be an assistant coach from 2001-2003. Dillon brought over with her some of the techniques and strategies long implemented by Perretta including his motion offense. Beginning as a top assistant responsible for recruiting and player development, Dillon was able to help bring the programs to new heights early in her time with the school.

“What drew me to Drexel was opportunity first and foremost,” Dillon said. “Being able to figure out at a young age if I wanted to make coaching my profession, I thought I had to experience it somewhere else. I also had a sense Drexel could be better and they had a lot to offer. I was immediately drawn to it and thought we could get a couple local players and international players to start us off and it worked well.” 

Over 17 years with the Dragons, Dillon became the winningest coach in program history with 329 victories while also earning a number of coaching awards during her time with the team. (Photo: Drexel University Athletics, Courtesy: Villanova University Athletics)

When presented with the opportunity to become the Drexel head coach after six seasons as an assistant, Dillon not only took the opportunity, but wouldn’t relinquish it for 17 years. As the Dragons head coach, Dillon would compile a 329-204 record and four Colonial Athletic Conference championships in  five conference title game appearances. Her 329 victories mark the most in Dragons history.

Over the course of her 17 seasons with the Dragons, Dillon would be named CAA coach of the year four times (2005, 2009, 2018 and 2020) and would lead the team to its first CAA Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance and won the WNIT championship in 2013, the first postseason championship in both CAA history and Philadelphia Division I women’s basketball history.

“I’m so proud of the continued success [at Drexel],” Dillon said. “Our players really bought into the importance of representing Drexel University on the women’s basketball team. They were so proud of being a part of something greater than themselves and genuinely building a program and their individual teams.”

Perretta, who was at the helm for Villanova for 42 years, announced his retirement this year following the 2019-2020 season. When a national search was conducted to find a replacement for the legend, the answer quickly became clear. Dillon was hired as the Wildcats head coach on March 27, becoming just the fifth in program history.

“I was interested in the advancement in my career, being in the Big East and wanting to really compete nationally,” Dillon said. “On a personal level, it was a big deal of who was going to take over the program after Harry finished so I wanted to continue to build off the foundation and the culture Villanova had established.”

Though she hasn’t looked too far ahead into the season due to the uncertainty with the pandemic and its regulations, Dillon has been able to get a jump start in her new program. With practices already underway, Dillon is excited for what the Wildcats will be able to bring to the court once games start, but safety remains at the forefront.

“It is exciting,” Dillon said. “I was really happy to be jumping in with the group we have now. They are ambitious to accomplish something others may not expect them to. … Just seeing each day with the team, their willingness to work, their buy-in, their intensity. We’re working. … [Our goal] is keeping our players healthy, doing everything we possibly can to continue playing. We’re practicing regularly. We’re doing the testing. We’re preparing for games and just remaining positive and excited about the opportunity.”

With her return to her alma mater and so close to where she grew up, Dillon already feels a sense of home at Villanova. 

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to say the least and then to come full circle and to be back here at Villanova, it’s hard to believe,” Dillon said. “When I left here I didn’t envision that, but you never know what could come your way when you’re just going each and every day doing something you love. … It’s special.” 

With plenty of experience both as a player and coach in the area, Dillon can connect to current players and future recruits on a whole new level for the Villanova program. With plenty of wins on her resume and a system many Wildcats fans have grown used to over the years, Dillon’s transition to her new program should be rather seamless. That could mean big things are on the horizon for the Wildcats team in the not-so-distant future.