Graceland Hires Willie Scott to Lead Women's Basketball

Athletic Director Brady McKillip announced Tuesday that Graceland hired Willie Scott to lead the Yellowjacket Women's Basketball program.

"Coach Scott brings to Graceland a wealth of basketball knowledge and the ability to build a program and elevate it," McKillip said. "He led William Penn to success in the competitive Heart of America Conference, and I am confident that he can do the same for Graceland."

Scott played collegiately at Bradley University, leading his team to the NIT Championship in 1982. Following college, he played in the Continental Basketball Association, the World Basketball League, and several professional leagues in South America. He was inducted into the Bradley University Hall of Fame in 1997.

Scott is also an accomplished entrepreneur who started a successful small business creating high-end custom clothing for professional athletes, entertainers, and celebrities like Shaquille O'Neal, Isaiah Thomas, Prince, and Michael Jackson.

Scott shared his excitement, saying, "I am incredibly honored and humbled to be the next head women's basketball coach at Graceland University. I want to thank President Draves, Athletic Director McKillip, and the search committee for their belief in me. I'm overwhelmed and thrilled for the opportunity to work with such wonderful people and the future is incredibly bright for Graceland women's basketball program. I can't wait to get started!"

As a coach, Scott has been successful at nearly every level, with experience at high school, collegiate, professional and semi-professional teams, resulting in an overall record of 119-81 during his 15-year coaching career. He helped turn around several programs, including Malcolm X Community College in Chicago, a limited resources program that had won only 17 games out of the previous nine years. Through his leadership, the program won 15 games in his first season and 19 the next. Scott has familiarity with the Heart of America Conference from when he served as William Penn's women's coach from 2015 to 2017, ultimately taking the team to the national tournament after a 29-year drought for the program.

"I am excited to see Coach Scott in action in the fully renovated Morden Center and on the new championship Richard J. Resch Court," said President Patricia Draves. "We are thrilled to have him bring his energy and experience to Graceland."

Scott arrives at Graceland later this month.