Terrapins men’s basketball assistant coach Dalonte Hill is leaving the program, while one of the Terps’ most recognizable figures — former All-American guard Juan Dixon — is returning to the program in a new role, coach Mark Turgeon announced Wednesday afternoon.
The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun initially reported the resignation, which has since been officially confirmed by the program.
Hill, who had taken a leave of absence after an Oct. 20 driving under the influence charge, has resigned, effectively immediately. Director of basketball operations Dustin Clark will fill Hill’s spot on the staff.
Hill has been charged with three DUIs in the past five years — two since joining the Terps staff in 2011 — but Turgeon believes the high-profile assistant will eventually get another chance to coach at the college level.
“He had a lot of qualities that are tremendous, he’s just got one thing that he’s got to get corrected,” Turgeon said in a conference call Wednesday. “Once he gets that corrected, I think it’s a forgiving world and I think he’ll get his chance and he’ll do well.”
Hill has a reputation as a strong recruiter, and his ties to local AAU program D.C. Assault appeared to have helped the Terps land several highly touted prospects, such as guard Roddy Peters and center Damonte Dodd. Still, Turgeon is confident the Terps’ recruiting efforts won’t take too significant of a hit.
“To me, it’s all about relationships,” Turgeon said. “Obviously Dalonte had a lot of relationships with the D.C. Assault that have helped us tremendously, but we’ve developed relationships over our two-plus years here.”
Clark’s promotion was not unexpected because he had been serving in Hill’s role since the coach’s suspension. The director of basketball operations role remains unfilled, but Turgeon said the program has enough coaches to handle the workload.
Plus, Turgeon is confident that Clark, who worked as a student assistant under the coach at Texas A&M, will fit in well as an assistant, and he credited Clark with “closing the door” on the Terps recruitment of Dion Wiley, a four-star class of 2014 prospect out of Potomac High School.
“Coach Clark, I don’t think people realize he’s going to be a tremendous recruiter for us,” Turgeon said.
Meanwhile, the Terps have hired Dixon as a special assistant to Turgeon, a role in which the former star will help mentor current players. Dixon was the 2002 Final Four MVP, leading the Terps to the program’s only championship.
Dixon, who spent several years in the NBA, had been asking Turgeon about joining the staff for several months, and Turgeon said his hiring had been “in the works” for weeks.
Turgeon said Dixon’s hiring is not related to Hill’s departure from the program. Dixon’s duties will include dealing with academics and advance scouting of opponents. He will sit behind the bench during games along with another former Terp, guard Eric Hayes, and is likely to travel with the team.
“I think Juan’s got an unbelievable knowledge of the game of basketball,” Turgeon said. “I just think being a role model for the student athletes — a guy that’s done it here at the highest level, played in the NBA — it’s going to be really good for our players just to have him around.”
Turgeon said the Dixon wants to be an NCAA head coach and he’ll begin the process by learning certain aspects of the job while on the Terps’ staff.
Dixon also wanted to be a part of the program that he helped bring to prominence, Turgeon said. He’s been around the team at games and practices for the past several months and he’ll now be an official part of the staff.
“He just wants Maryland basketball to be successful,” Turgeon said. “When you have a guy on your staff that has that passion, he can do nothing but help you be successful.”
