McDowell Baseball Welcomes Bill Hillier as New Head Coach

McDowell High School has announced the appointment of Bill Hillier, previously the head coach at Asheville High, as its new head baseball coach and director of baseball operations. The announcement was made by McDowell County Schools on June 16, following the retirement of Alex Smith, who had dedicated 19 years to the program and led the team to a Northwestern Conference championship in 2021.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Hillier stated, "I am honored and excited to be named the next Head Baseball Coach at McDowell High School. McDowell has long been a program that I have admired and respected because of its tradition, history, and commitment to excellence. The opportunity to lead such a respected program is one that I do not take lightly."

Hillier brings a wealth of experience to McDowell, having coached at Asheville High since 2008, where he compiled an impressive record of 331 wins, 175 losses, and one tie, along with securing two Mountain Athletic Conference titles. His coaching journey also includes stints with the baseball programs at Duke, Wake Forest, and UNC Asheville.

Coaching runs in Hillier's family; his father, Bill Hillier Sr., was the head coach at UNC Asheville from 1995 to 1999 and at Duke from 2000 to 2005. Additionally, his son, Bill Hillier III, played under both at Asheville High before embarking on a successful Division I career.

McDowell County Schools superintendent Tracy Grit praised Hillier's qualifications, saying, "Coach Hillier's track record of developing successful student-athletes, building strong programs, and fostering meaningful relationships makes him an outstanding fit for McDowell County Schools. His experience, leadership, and commitment to educational athletics will be tremendous assets as we continue to grow opportunities for our students and strengthen our baseball programs across the district."