Feb. 1, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford basketball coach Jimmy Tillette returned to the practice floor Monday for the first time since suffering a seizure in the Bulldogs' 70-67 victory at UNC Greensboro on Jan. 23. Tillette was energetic and in good spirits as he led Samford through a two-hour workout in preparation for this week's road games against The Citadel and College of Charleston.

"It was exciting to get back out on the court," said Samford head coach Jimmy Tillette. "I know it's only been a week since I've been out there, but it felt like forever. I went and talked to our team and told them that I'm completely healthy and I'm 100 percent energized and looking forward to what we can do in this last month of the season. We're not that far off as a team and we still have a lot of games left in our schedule."

Tillette was released from UAB Hospital on Tuesday of last week, but was advised to rest at home until Monday's practice. The Bulldogs' all-time winningest coach received good news from the medical staff last week when all initial test results came back with a positive prognosis.

Samford associate head coach Paul Kelly assumed the coaching duties in the Bulldogs' games against Furman, Appalachian State and Western Carolina.

"Paul Kelly, Lee Burgess and Thomas Johnson all did a great job of coaching the team last week," Tillette said. "We just weren't able to win some close games. It was difficult to be away from the team and today was definitely a good feeling to get back out on the court."

Tillette is recovering nicely from an isolated seizure that he suffered during the Bulldogs' 70-67 victory at UNC Greensboro on Jan. 23. He collapsed approximately 10 minutes into the second half and was immediately rushed to Moses Cone Hospital where he remained overnight in stable condition. He was later transferred back home to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.

Tillette is Samford's all-time winningest coach and became the first coach in school history to reach the 200-win plateau earlier this season. On Dec. 22, he reached the historical milestone as the Bulldogs defeated Eastern Michigan on the road 58-56.

In his 13th season as head coach at Samford, Tillette owns a 204-174 overall record and an impressive 134-94 mark against conference opponents. He piloted the Bulldogs to NCAA Tournament appearances in both 1999 and 2000.

The Samford University basketball team will begin a critical three-game Southern Conference road trip this week with a matchup at The Citadel Thursday at 6 p.m. (CST). The game will be held at The Citadel's McAlister Field House in Charleston, S.C.