NIC VOLLEYBALL: Cardinals dismiss Tilleman after rumored practice allegations surface

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

Five days ago, Brittany Tilleman was being celebrated as the Female College Coach of the Year at the North Idaho Sports Banquet after leading North Idaho College’s volleyball team to a 32-2 record and a perfect 16-0 in Northwest Athletic Conference play.

Today, she’s trying to figure out what’s next as the school has since moved on from her after allegations surfaced about hard practices and some players unhappy with playing time, according to Tilleman.

“It’s a little bit of feelings being held over facts,” Tilleman said. “Some athletes who didn’t come in prepared for the collegiate level or were getting the playing time they thought they deserved went to the administration, and they held that over what was really going on. There were several complaints that were blown way out of proportion and lies that were given no context.”

Tilleman added that while administration acted on those claims, nobody spoke directly to her, or assistant coach Missy (Huddleston) Fleshman, who stepped down due to personal reasons earlier this year.

NIC did not answer questions related to the allegations when reached for comment.

“I was given no notice or warning and the administration came in with bigger actions,” Tilleman said. “Not all the players were spoken to about this, and they didn’t speak to Missy. I was told it was their plan to not bring me back regardless.”

Tilleman, nee Gay, was an assistant coach at NIC in 2022 under coach Kelsey Stanley. Tilleman played volleyball, basketball and softball at Lake City. Her softball team won the state title in 2013.

Stanley was 187-87 in eight years as coach.

Tilleman played both volleyball and softball at NIC. As part of the 2015 volleyball team, the Cardinals finished fifth at the NJCAA national tournament before NIC moved to the NWAC in 2016. Tilleman was selected as the North Idaho Female Athlete of the year for the 2016-17 season.

After her time at NIC, Tilleman transferred to Montana to pursue her bachelor's degree and continue her volleyball career. As a senior, her team made it to the NCAA Big Sky Championships. Tilleman received the Heart of the Grizzly Award and Most Inspirational Player in her two seasons there. She graduated in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in health and human performance —exercise science.

Tilleman coached volleyball for three seasons at Hellgate High in Missoula, including two seasons as head coach.

NIC, in its final season in the regionally-based Northwest Athletic Conference, returns to the NJCAA and Scenic West Athletic Conference in the fall.

Tilleman appealed the decision not to renew her contract, but NIC President Nick Swayne stood by the decision. NIC athletic director Shawn Noel and Dean of Students Alex Harris also listened to the appeal.

“I know where I want to be,” Tilleman said. “If God wants me at NIC, I’ll be there. If not, I will not be there. Right now, I’ve got my mind set on being home with my kids.”

NIC’s lone two losses came to two-time conference champion Linn-Benton in 2023.

“The season to me was probably more than I could have asked for,” Tilleman said. “The girls worked their butts off. They’re like my kids. To go unbeaten in conference and our only two losses to the two-time champion, it’s so cool and a testament to the way I structured things and the preparation to the NJCAA. Our sights were always on the long term and how we’re getting better each day. We never slacked off or settled and took it further than any other team at NIC in the NWAC.”

Noel said the school is conducting a search for the program’s next coach, the third in three years after Kelsey Stanley resigned following the 2022 season.