Shalon Pillow resigns as head women’s basketball coach

FAMU head women's basketball coach Shalon Pillow has resigned after three years and two seasons leading the Rattlers.

Pillow who came in as a highly touted disciple of Tennessee basketball coaching legend Pat Summit, where she played her collegiate career from 1998-2002, going 125-15, with two NCAA final four appearances.  Prior to coming to FAMU she spent 15 years as an assistant coach at Hofstra, Kentucky,  South Florida, and Middle Tennessee State where she was part of an effort that lead her teams to six NCAA appearances.

In her three years at FAMU, Pillow was never able to duplicate any of that kind of success compiling a 9-48 record in two seasons on the courts. Her first season was cancelled due to COVID, which gave her an extra year to prepare her team for play.

Routinely blown out

Most disturbing about the Lady Rattler’s play, under Pillow, whose salary is $100,000, was the way they lost.  Pillow’s team routinely got blown out not  by much larger schools, but by SWAC opponents.  

The Rattlers lost to Southern 55-71 (Jan. 8), 53-76 to UAPB (Jan. 15), 34-90 to Jackson State (Jan. 24), 57-73 to Alabama State (Jan. 31) and 57-74 to Texas Southern (Feb. 5) all in year one.  

Things didn’t improve in year two as the Rattlers suffered home blowout losses to in-state rival Bethune Cookman 50-85 ( Jan. 2), lost 51-72 to Jackson State (Jan. 23) , and lost 46-61 at home to Grambling (Feb. 25).

Pillow said, "I am very thankful for the opportunity to lead the women's basketball  program over the last three year.  I am more than grateful to have had the opportunity of working with the young women on the team and be part of their development on and off the court."

"I want to thank Coach Pillow for the years of service she has provided FAMU," said Athletic Director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes. "I wish her the best as she prepares for the next chapter in her professional career. 

Coach Pillow's last day is on August 1.