Daryl Gross’ 2nd choice turned out to be ‘perfect coach’ for Syracuse women’s basketball [Video]

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Syracuse women’s basketball coach Quentin Hillsman is congratulated by SU chancellor Nancy Cantor and Athletic Director Daryl Gross after the Orange upset Ohio State in the Carrier Dome in 2010.

(Stephen D. Cannerelli | [email protected])

Syracuse, N.Y. — As much as Daryl Gross liked Quentin Hillsman — and he liked him a lot — he could make no promises.

The year was 2006, and Gross, then Syracuse University’s athletic director, was replacing women’s basketball coach Keith Cieplicki.

Hillsman had just finished his first season as Cieplicki’s second assistant coach, and Gross admired his energy and communication skills. Gross told Hillsman he’d like him to remain on staff, and would recommend to the new coach that Hillsman get promoted to the first assistant coach.

But that, of course, would be up to the whim of whomever Gross hired.

As it turned out, Gross was a little off about Hillsman’s immediate future with the program, albeit by …