BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford University assistant men's basketball coach Gerald Gillion was named head coach at Chicago State University on Monday, July 19, 2021. Chicago State is an NCAA Division I institution and member of the Western Athletic Conference. He becomes the first member of Samford head coach Bucky McMillan's staff to jump to a head coaching position.
 
"Coach Gillion is a person of the highest moral character and will be a great leader and example for not only the basketball program but all of Chicago State University," McMillan said. "While we hate to see him go, I can't wait to see Gerald's infectious personality permeate through the entire Chicago State campus and throughout Chicago. Go Cougars, and everyone in Chicago better get ready to tighten up!" 
 
An elite recruiter, Gillion joined McMillan's staff after serving as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech from 2017 to 2019. In his lone season with the Bulldogs, Gillion helped transform Samford recruiting into a mid-major force across the country. 
 
"Gerald (Gillion) did a tremendous job for us at Samford as a coach, recruiter, and player developer," McMillan said. "His relentless work ethic coupled with his close personal relationships with players make him the rising star he is in the coaching profession."
 
Before Tennessee Tech, Gillion worked as a special assistant to the head coach at South Florida from 2014-17. He was also the director of basketball operations at Florida International from 2013-14.
 
Gillion began his coaching career as the head coach at Northeast High School from 2008 to 2013. He transformed the boy's program that was 10-87 over four years, to winning over 20 games and earning a district championship in his first season as head coach. He also coached the girls' program, leading a dramatic turnaround as well.
 
Gillion earned his bachelor's degree in Social Science from Florida State University in 2008.