The University of Tennessee announced this week that Denise Jilka will assume the role of director of basketball operations for the Lady Vols, filling the vacancy left by Catherine Greene, who departed for a similar post within the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Jilka’s journey with the program began in 2014 when she started as an academic counselor for Olympic sports. Over the years she moved into a leadership position, becoming director of academic services for Olympic sports in 2023, a role in which she coordinated scholarship compliance and student‑athlete support across multiple disciplines.
Though she has no prior title as director of basketball operations, Jilka’s deep familiarity with the university’s athletic infrastructure made her a natural choice. Her responsibilities will now encompass team travel logistics, academic oversight and the day‑to‑day scheduling that keep the program running smoothly.
A Seamless Transition Within the Program
Jilka will work closely with Maggie Stanley, who was promoted earlier this spring to assistant director of basketball operations after serving as a graduate assistant the previous season. Stanley’s recent elevation reflects the program’s confidence in internal talent, and her partnership with Jilka is expected to streamline operations while preserving continuity.
The move also underscores the university’s commitment to leveraging existing expertise rather than seeking an external hire. By promoting someone who has spent more than a decade within the Volunteer system, the athletic department aims to maintain the cultural and operational cohesion that has defined Lady Vols basketball.
Beyond her new duties, Jilka brings a unique blend of academic and athletic insight. She earned a master’s degree in sport and performance psychology from the University of Denver in 2013 and a master’s in sport management from the University of Tennessee in 2017, following her undergraduate graduation from Bradley University in 2011, where she played softball.