A 1971 graduate of Gonzaga University, Hillock returned to his alma mater in 1979 as an assistant under second-year head coach Dan Fitzgerald.
When Fitzgerald decided to step down after a 19–8 season in 1981 and concentrate on his duties as athletic director, Hillock was promoted to head coach of the Bulldogs at age 32.
[2][3][4][5] His most notable player was guard John Stockton, a first round selection in the 1984 NBA draft and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hillock's most lauded victory was a one-point upset at DePaul in January 1983,[6][7] in coaching legend Ray Meyer's uncharacteristic penultimate season.
Surprisingly, Hillock indicated he was interested in the open position,[12] but LMU hired former NBA head coach Paul Westhead, who retained him as an assistant.