KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee head coach and director of track & field Duane Ross has announced the hiring of Deanna Hill as an assistant coach. 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.
Individually, Hill coached 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 mentored 2024 Paris Olympian Aaliyah Butler, who helped Team USA win gold in the women’s 4×400-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 coached 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.
The depth of Hill’s 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…
“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.
Individually, Hill coached 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 mentored 2024 Paris Olympian Aaliyah Butler, who helped Team USA win gold in the women’s 4×400-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 coached 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.
The depth of Hill’s 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…
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