CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State head women's basketball head coach Heather Davis has announced the hiring of assistant coaches Shillalie Jones and Tyler O'Connor. The duo rounds out the coaching staff heading into the 2025-26 campaign. 

SHILLALIE JONES

"I am beyond excited to welcome Coach Jones to the Hillcat family," Davis commented. "She brings valuable recruiting experience, has been a part of several successful seasons at NEO, and offers a strong knowledge of the game—along with many other strengths. She will be a great addition to our program and is ready to get to work, helping us improve every single day." 

Jones officially became a Hillcat in August 2025 and will serve as the top assistant coach.

"I am truly blessed and beyond grateful to be joining the RSU women's basketball family," Jones stated. 'I am excited to contribute to the program's vision of 'Being the CHANGE.' To me, coaching is about more than wins and losses—it's about making an impact and pouring into our student-athletes. I cannot wait to get started and help build upon the program's success both on and off the court."

Jones wrapped up her eighth and final season as the assistant head coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) in 2024-25, where she helped lead the team to the Region II finals with a 16-3 conference record.

She guided the Lady Norse to multiple Region II Tournament appearances, including semifinals in 2023-24 and 2019-2020, and played a key role in their return to the tournament in 2021-2022. In 2018-19, she coached her sister, Jo'Nah Johnson, and the team finished runner-up with an impressive 22-9 record.

In 2018, Jones coached in the NJCAA Top 40 All-Star Game and led the Lady Norse to the semifinals the following season. In her first season, the team achieved a perfect 16-0 conference record, winning its fifth consecutive Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference title and finishing 27-5 overall.

Before NEO, she was an assistant coach at Garden City Community College during the 2016-17 season.

Jones began her coaching career in 2015 as the head freshman coach and assistant varsity coach at Midwest City High School. As head freshman coach, she led her team to a commendable record of 16-3 and assisted the varsity squad in winning a 6A state championship in 2016, finishing with a 25-4 record.

From 2009 to 2017, Jones was the head coach of Oklahoma Select, one of Oklahoma's leading AAU organizations, helping numerous athletes secure Division I, Division II and junior college scholarships while propelling several players into national rankings in the 2017 recruiting class.

Jones played collegiately at Seminole State College before transferring to Henderson State University for one year. She finished her collegiate career at Langston University, where she played a pivotal role in leading the team to a runner-up finish in the Red River Athletic Conference in 2014, securing a berth in the NAIA Nationals. Additionally, she was honored with the Champion of Character Award during the 2013-14 season. 

A native of Oklahoma City, Jones was a standout player at Putnam City North High School, where she was a four-year varsity starter. She earned accolades including OCA All-State (2009), Big All-City (2009) and the Metro Athletic Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2008 and 2009). 

TYLER O'CONNOR

"We are excited to welcome Tyler to our staff," Davis remarked. "He is eager to learn and begin his career here at Rogers State University. With his experience at the Division I level, he brings a valuable perspective and is enthusiastic about gaining knowledge of Division II basketball and the MIAA." 

O'Connor also joined the coaching staff in 2025 and will serve as the second assistant for the Hillcat Women's Basketball program. 

"I want to thank Coach Davis for this opportunity," O'Connor commented. "I am eager to hit the ground running, learn about the program and everything it entails, and contribute in any way I can to help the team have a successful year the program and everything it entails, and contribute in any way I can to help the team have a successful year."

O'Connor began his coaching career at Central Michigan University, where he served as a student manager and practice player. He assisted with practice scouting and mimicked opposing teams. His responsibilities included organizing practices, managing team operations and traveling with the team. He also played for the club basketball team, which reached the regional finals.

After his time at Central Michigan, O'Connor served as an assistant coach at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Detroit, Michigan, for a year. There, he focused on teaching basketball fundamentals, fostering a positive team culture and creating a structured environment to keep students engaged and away from negative influences. 

O'Connor also volunteered at Division I Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. In this role, he helped prepare players for game days by clarifying their roles and plays. His experience included video coordination, scouting reports, practice planning, in-game adjustments and developing individual skills for the athletes. 

A native of Macomb, Michigan, O'Connor earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management with a minor in Management in 2023 and completed a Master of Administration in 2024.