Another fantastic piece by the Always a Dragon crew honoring arguably the best basketball coach in Drexel's history. It deserves it's own thread.

http://alwaysadragon.com/300-denise-dill...g-started/

She has done nothing but incredible things here. We have been worried for many years she would leave and has stayed. I still think she would leave for Villanova in a heartbeat, but she seems quite happy here and what she has accomplished. She has made us competitive every single year and she gives opportunities back to players on her coaching staff. All around class act in every way.

Thanks guys, I'm really glad that you enjoyed that. And the fact that so many people were willing to take their time to provide the quotes really speaks to how respected she is. Plus, talking to Dragons past and present is always a treat. I'm really encouraging people to share the story on SM since I don't think she gets much pub, and she deserves much more.

Now that I have read the pieces here is my take:

Obviously the ones who have followed the women's team know how lucky and fortunate we are to have her. Women's basketball is definitely niche enough still that its easy to retain a successful coach than on the men's side. If Denise had the same type of success in the men's game she would have been gone many years ago. She has always deserved more support from our small fanbase than she has gotten. She has always been good to the fans as well. The alums have as well. I remember the conversations in Harrisonburg after we upset ODU. The administration was not willing to spend the money to get a bus or 2 of students down for the final. Hazem was with us down there and said make it happen, I do not care how much it costs. It happened. Another busload of students made it and got to celebrate a championship. The ensuing watch party for the selection show at Mikey's was a blast for the excitement of the team coaches and fans to see where their journey would continue. Continuity of those things at our level do not just happen everywhere. Denise has made it possible here. She will continue to be successful here as long as she stays.

The comments from other coaches and players say it all. She is a rockstar that is underappreciated by everyone other than her players. With that said, it is also telling that all of those former coaches and players were willing to talk with you guys. That also shows how good of a job you are doing now, but also how strong of relationships you have built over the years with the program. So kudos to you as well for being able to get those quotes and insights from past players and coaches. Pieces like this can show the importance of building relationships at any point that even when coaching changes happen, they will gladly still talk with you. It shows the strength of the group we do have, even if it is a small group.

Well done everyone. Congrats again to Denise.

Other than the JMU coaches, Coach Dillon has been one of my favorite coaches to follow in the CAA or women's basketball in general. She wins with dignity, loses with dignity, appears to treat her players respectfully and like family and runs a clean, classy program. While I will not be sorry to see her leave the CAA at some point in time in the future because JMU-Drexel games are always a dogfight, if and when she leaves it will leave a big hole in your athletic program and CAA women's basketball.

Hope to see some of you in a couple of weeks in Harrisonburg. Remember it is a THURSDAY night game - gotta love the last week of conference play.