GC Hillburn joined the Pacific Lutheran University women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant prior to the 2018-2019 season before being elevated to the interim head coach in the spring of 2020.
Hillburn is elevated to interim head coach after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach for the Lutes. Hillburn’s two seasons saw the Lutes win 25 games, including a 14-10 season in 2018-2019, PLU’s first winning campaign since the 2008-2009 season. His two-year run as an assistant saw three players earn All-Northwest Conference honors and one student-athlete securing CoSIDA Academic All-District accolades. Hillburn was additionally one of 30 coaches from around the nation named a finalist for the Junior NBA Coach of the Year Award in 2019.
“I’m so honored to be given the chance to lead the women’s basketball program at Pacific Lutheran University,” said HIllburn. “I want to thank Laurie Turner for giving me this opportunity and Coach Jennifer Childress for making me part of the PLU program two years ago. Coach Childress developed an outstanding team culture that has allowed this program to take steps forward ever since she arrived on campus. I’m so fortunate to get to take the torch from her and work with what are some of the best student-athletes and people I have ever been around in my career.”
Hillburn joins the Lutes after 12 years’ experience coaching at the college, AAU, and high school ranks. He previously served as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Kentlake High School for three seasons. Under his direction, the Falcons compiled a 61-22 record on the hardwood. His tenure included an undefeated SPSL Northwest Conference Championship during the 2015-16 season, an NPSL Cascade Division Championship in 2016-17, while finishing sixth at the WIAA 4A Championships in 2018.
Prior to Kentlake, Hillburn was an assistant for three seasons at Northwest Conference rival George Fox University. His tenure saw the Bruins post a 73-13 record, making two trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament, including an appearance in the national championship game in 2015.
Hillburn has additional experience as head coach of the Columbia Cascades AAU program (2012-2017) based in Vancouver, Washington and Emerald Ridge High School (2009-2012) in Puyallup. Hillburn serves as the Head Trainer and Director of Basketball Operations for South-End Skills Academy since 2011 and has previously coached junior varsity boys basketball at both Seattle Christian and Skyline High Schools.
Hillburn earned an associate’s degree from Bellevue College before earning a Bachelor’s degree in business from Northwest University. He went on to earn a master's degree in elementary education from Western Governors University.
Hillburn resides in Kent, Wash. with his wife Jessica.
