Richard Hills
Rich Hills enters into his 26th season leading the Point Loma men's team and his 17th as women's head coach. During his long and successful tenure, Hills has guided numerous teams to championships, winning a combined nine GSAC titles and five Region II championships for women. In addition, many of his individual players and squads have earned their way to the NAIA National Championship.
Last year (2006) both of Hills' tennis teams earned bids to the Region II and NAIA National Tournaments. The PLNU men finished with a ranking of 16, were fourth in the GSAC with a 6-6 mark and went 12-14 overall. The Sea Lion women finished ranked #11, placing fourth in the GSAC with a 12-6 record and were 14-8 overall. Both teams claimed wins in the first round of the national tournament followed by a second-round loss.
In 2004, Hills guided the women’s team to a fifth straight Region II title, with both teams qualifying for nationals.
Hills coached one his best women’s teams in 2003. After winning the conference and Region II crown, the ladies made it to the semi-finals at nationals—a school record. The men also made the tournament and were ranked 18th in the nation for the season. Hills was named GSAC Head Coach of the Year, for the sixth time as a women’s coach.
Having also been named GSAC Head Coach of the Year for the men’s team four times, Hills can credit some success to his scouting ability since a total of 25 All-Americans have played for him over the years. Players under Hills who have earned all-conference and all-region honors are too numerous to mention.
Hills coached at Lewis-Clark State for two seasons, before returning to to take the reigns of the men’s tennis program. He has also worked with the Point Loma men’s basketball team as an assistant coach.
An exceptional athlete, Hills played collegiate tennis and basketball for Northwest Nazarene and Point Loma Nazarene College (now PLNU). The Oregon native was a standout at South Eugene High School, where he earned all-state honors as a quarterback in football, and also in basketball and tennis. Hills received degrees in physical education and psychology from PLNC, and a Master’s Degree in physical education from San Diego State in 1990.
Hills is a member of the Point Loma Nazarene kinesiology faculty and teaches a variety of classes, including outdoor adventures, surfing, tennis, football and rock-climbing.
Rich, and his wife Heather, have three children: Maggie, Haplain and Dakota. The Hills live in Point Loma.
