Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Kentucky Wesleyan College head men’s basketball coach Todd Lee announced the appointment of Derrick Tilmon and Jeff Cammon as the Panthers new assistant coaches. Tilmon will serve as the first assistant and Cammon the second.

“We are very fortunate to have Derrick and Jeff join our coaching staff," said Lee. "They both bring valuable experience as players, at the Division 1 level. Derrick also spent many years playing professionally overseas. They will serve as role models for our student-athletes and will be great additions to Kentucky Wesleyan College.”

Tilmon, 30, spent the 2005-06 season as an assistant at NAIA Shorter College in Rome, Ga. His coaching responsibilities also included monitoring academics progress, recruiting, scouting, organizing travel, video exchange and summer camps.

Prior to Shorter, Tilmon played professionally for five years in Europe. He earned a Netherlands All-Star team membership and a finalist spot in the Netherlands championship series.

Tilmon started his collegiate playing days as a freshman at Hiawassee Junior College in Madisonville, Tenn. (1966-97) before completing his career at Div. I Southern Illinois University, where he starter at power forward and center for three seasons (1997-2000). He helped the Salukis to a 20-13 record and the second round of the NIT as senior in 2000 for former SIU and now Illinois head coach Bruce Webber and finished 13th on all-time career blocked shot list with 58 in 82 games played.

Lee added, “It says a lot to me that Coach Weber called and said the Derrick was one of his all-time favorite players to coach. He talked to me at great length about his strong character, his work ethic and values. He told me because of those strengths, he knows Derrick will be a very successful coach.”

He graduated from Hiwassee with an associate of arts degree in 1997 and Southern Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in health education in 2000. Tilmon and his wife, Nicole, have a son, Derrick Jr.

Cammon, 26, comes to KWC after serving as an assistant at Chaffey Community College in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., in 2006. He helped guide the Panthers to a scoring title at 103 points per game, a conference title and a fifth place finish in the state with a 28-6 record

His assistant coaching resume also includes his alma mater Div. I Alcorn State University (2005) and at Diamond Ranch High School (2004) in Pomona, Calif.

“I have known Jeff since his playing days at Upland High School in California and also followed his career at Alcorn State," Lee said. "He is very passionate about the game of basketball and also about helping young people.”

Cammon played at Alcorn State where he was a three year starter and twice served as team captain. He led the Braves as a senior in assists, three-point field goal and free throw percentage, and minutes played. His career accomplishments include finishing fifth in career free throw percentage, sixth on the all-time assist list and fifth for most assists in a game. Cammon played on two conference championship teams and their 2002 NCAA first round team.

The native of graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science (2002) and a master’s degree in health and physical education (2005) of from Alcorn State.

They replace Josh Prock, now a high school head coach in Texas, and Korey White, who entered corporate business.