Dec. 11, 2004

Coiumbia, S.C. –
Madre Hill, who led the Southeastern Conference in rushing in 1995 and later played four years of professional football, has been named assistant football coach at the University of South Carolina. Hill will coach the Gamecock running backs.

Hill ranks as one of the University of Arkansas’ all-time top tailbacks. The native of Malvern, Ark., rushed for a school-record 1,387 yards in 1995, a total that led the SEC, and helped lead the Razorbacks to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta against the Florida Gators. Hill was named first-team All-SEC that season. Despite having to overcome two knee injuries during his career (1994-98), he finished his playing days with 2,407 yards and 25 touchdowns. He scored a school-record six touchdowns in game against South Carolina in 1995, a season in which he tallied six 100-plus rushing yard games. Also recognized as a dangerous kickoff return specialist, Hill returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown vs. LSU in 1994. Hill was named to Arkansas’ All-Decade team for the 1990s. Hill served as a graduate assistant coach at Arkansas this past football season.

Hill was a seventh round draft pick in 1999 by the Cleveland Browns. He played one season with the Browns and two years in NFL Europe before joining the Oakland Raiders in 2002. He was a member of the Raiders’ AFC Championship team that season that played in the Super Bowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hill came back to Arkansas to earn his bachelor’s degree in 2004.

“We’re excited about having Madre Hill join the South Carolina coaching staff,” said Gamecock head coach Steve Spurrier. “He brings a lot of excitement, energy and enthusiasm to our football program.”
Hill, who will turn 29 on Jan. 2, says he is excited about joining the Gamecock program.

“This is a great opportunity and I am fully committed to helping South Carolina become a championship team,” said Hill. “I am even more committed to seeing that our student-athletes achieve excellence both on and off the field and do everything I can to help build character in our young men’s lives. My family and I are excited about becoming Gamecocks.”
Hill and his wife, Jennifer, have a son: Madre, Jr. (1).