Deanna Hill - Assistant Coach (Sprints & Hurdles) - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Deanna Hill

Title:
Assistant Coach (Sprints & Hurdles)

Tennessee head coach and director of track & field Duane Ross has announced the hiring of Deanna Hill as an assistant coach in August 2025. Hill will aid the development of UT’s sprinters, hurdlers and relay squads.

"We are thrilled to welcome Deanna Hill to our staff here at Tennessee," Ross said. "She brings an elite level of technical knowledge, a proven track record of developing championship-caliber athletes, and an infectious energy that fits perfectly with the culture we're building. Her experience at both the collegiate and international levels will be invaluable as we continue to elevate our sprint, hurdle and relay groups. I have no doubt she'll make an immediate impact on our program."

Hill arrives on Rocky Top after a four-year stint as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia, most recently helping the Bulldogs capture the women's team titles at the 2025 SEC and NCAA Outdoor Championships. Since 2022, Hill served on a UGA staff that collected 12 NCAA top-10 team finishes.

Hill assisted with three NCAA champions during her time in Athens — including 2024 Bowerman finalist Christopher Morales Williams, who swept NCAA 400-meter crowns that season and posted an all-time world best of 44.49 at the 2024 SEC Indoor Championships. Hill also helped mentor 2024 Paris Olympian Aaliyah Butler, who won gold with Team USA in the women's 4x400-meter relay and took home the 2025 NCAA outdoor title in the women's 400-meter dash with a time of 49.26 that ranks fifth in collegiate history.

In her first season in Athens, Hill helped guide Matthew Boling to the 2022 NCAA indoor title in the men's 200-meter dash with a time of 20.12 seconds – establishing the No. 5 indoor mark in NCAA track & field history.

Hill's assistance in development during her time at UGA is evident, as 107 top-10 marks in school history and 14 current school records in the sprints, hurdles and relays were established from 2022-25.

"I am so excited and blessed to be joining the University of Tennessee track & field program," Hill said. "Knoxville is a beautiful city, and I can't wait to become a part of the Vol and Lady Vol community with its athletic excellence and incredible support.

"I want to extend a huge thank you to coach Caryl Smith Gilbert for the opportunity she gave me at the University of Georgia and for all her mentorship throughout my life. To all my former Dawgs—the athletes, staff, and parents—I will forever appreciate your love and support. To my friends, family, and God, thank you for always pushing me to new heights.

"I'm incredibly grateful to coach Duane Ross for the opportunity to join his program. I was immediately drawn to his mission for this team, and it is a true privilege to learn from someone with his career accomplishments. Go Big Orange!"

A phenomenal athlete in her own right, Hill was a 16-time First Team All-American and team captain of the Southern California track & field program as a collegian – earning Team MVP honors three consecutive years and helping the Trojans clinch the 2018 NCAA outdoor team title with a memorable, triumphant victory in the women's 4x400-meter relay. Her 16 first team All-America certificates are the most in USC history.

The Orlando, Florida, native returned to her hometown after graduating from USC and took over as the head varsity coach at Lake Highland Preparatory School to start the 2019 season. While guiding Lake Highland, her school won its first boys' district championship in 21 years and its first regional championship in school history.