American University announced the hiring of Kelly Killion as the new women’s basketball head coach on April 2. Killion previously served as the associate head coach and recruiting director for the University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team.
Killion’s hiring comes about a month after the dismissal of Tiffany Coll from her position as head coach of the team. Killion is taking over after the Eagles posted a 1-29 record in the 2024-25 season.
During her 10 seasons with Penn, the team won two Ivy League Championships in 2016 and 2017. She holds an overall record of 153-88.
She is credited with the development of multiple Penn stars throughout her tenure, notably mentoring younger players to all-conference accolades. With a majority of returning players being underclassmen, American might benefit from Killion’s expertise in quickening the progression of these young athletes.
“We’re excited to welcome Kelly Killion to American University and to entrust her with leading our women’s basketball program into a new era. We know we have work to do, and Kelly’s energy, experience and commitment to building strong, student-centered teams make her the right person to guide that process,” American University Athletics Director JM Caparro said in a press release following Killion’s hiring.
Killion has experience both as a coach and a player, previously playing for Holy Family University from 2004-08, where she was selected to all-conference teams in all four years she played for the Tigers. She was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2021.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program at American University,” Killion said. “There’s a strong foundation here, and I believe in what this program can become.”
An introductory press conference is planned for the near future, but no date was announced.
This article was edited by Jack Stashower, Penelope Jennings and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks and Olivia Citarella.
