Benjamin F. Tillman, Jr. is a native of Thomasville, Georgia and a graduate of Thomasville High School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Thomas University, Master’s Degree in Management from Troy University and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University.
Coach Tillman was the head basketball coach of the Thomasville High School Bulldogs Varsity Boys’ Team for fifteen (15) seasons. Prior to that, he served as assistant coach for seven (7) seasons. Under his head coaching leadership, the team has won eight (8) Class AA region titles and one state championship in 2018. It was the first and only state championship in the program’s history. During his tenure, Coach Tillman achieved a win/loss record of 317-100 and had the privilege of coaching south Georgia’s first McDonald’s All- American in addition to sending twenty-one (21) players to college on basketball scholarships. Four (4) of those players went on to play professional basketball abroad and one (1) was drafted into the NBA.
Coach Tillman also worked as an educator and administrator during his 18-year tenure in the Thomasville City Schools District. At Thomasville High School, he was a business education teacher, youth apprenticeship coordinator, assistant athletic director and athletic director. Also, Coach Tillman served as Assistant Principal at Scott Elementary, Harper Elementary, and Thomasville High School, and he served as the district’s Director of Operations, overseeing the maintenance, transportation and safety functions of the district.
Prior to becoming an educator, Coach Tillman spent eighteen (18) years in the fire service in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia and at the Thomasville Fire Department. He is also a former instructor and the inaugural Fire Science Program Coordinator at Valdosta Technical College in Valdosta, Georgia.
Coach Tillman is active in the community through his involvement with Mu Beta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of Southwest Georgia. He also serves as an Elder, Sunday school teacher and youth activities coordinator of the Rose City Church of Christ in Thomasville, Georgia.
Coach Tillman has been married for 29 years to his wife, Stephanie, and they have two children, Trey, age 23, Lindsay, age 21.
