Berube's trusted Princeton assistant joins Northwestern. Dillon's recruiting prowess and championship experience aim to elevate the Wildcats in the Big Ten.
Since hiring Carla Berube as the newly appointed head coach for Northwestern women's basketball following Joe McKeown's retirement, the former Princeton head coach has brought her trusted staff to Evanston.
Per the team's announcement, Lauren Dillon will serve as the new Associate Head Coach for the Wildcats under Berube, for whom she previously worked for seven years at Princeton.
Dillon played point guard for Tufts University (Division III, NESCAC) from 2014 to 2018 under Coach Berube. She shone with an outstanding career, starting 117 of 128 games while helping lead Tufts to a 114-15 overall record (.884 winning percentage). During her time, the Jumbos won a NESCAC championship her freshman year, reached one Elite Eight, one Final Four, and appeared in two NCAA Division III National Championship games.
As a two-year team captain, Dillon earned NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore and First-Team All-NESCAC recognition as a senior. She holds Tufts' all-time records for assists (481) and steals (266). Originally from Wellesley, Massachusetts, Dillon was a standout multi-sport athlete in high school, competing in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.
After graduating, she spent one season (2018-19) as an assistant coach at Tufts before joining Berube's staff at Princeton in 2019 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, serving seven years through the 2025-26 season.
During her time at Princeton, the Tigers achieved remarkable success: 147 wins with an .835 winning percentage, including six straight 20-plus-win seasons. Princeton captured five Ivy League titles (four during her tenure) and made five NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing past the first round in 2022 and 2023. Under Dillon's watch, the program developed 21 All-Ivy players, including two All-Americans, three Ivy League Players of the Year, three Defensive Players of the Year, and three WNBA draft picks.
"Stepping into the role of Associate Head Coach for Northwestern Women's Basketball is such an incredible honor," Dillon told NU Athletics. "I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to grow, lead, and compete alongside Coach Berube and this special group in one of the best conferences in the country. I'm excited for what's ahead and ready to get to work!"
As Northwestern looks to rebuild following key departures, including Angelina Hodgens entering the transfer portal and the graduation of Grace Sullivan and Caroline Lau, Dillon's recruiting expertise will prove crucial. She previously coached renowned players like Madison St. Rose, considered the highest-ranked recruit in recent Princeton history, and former Tigers Abby Meyers and Kaitlyn Chen, both now in the WNBA. Her proven track record of developing elite talent impacts Northwestern's success in the competitive Big Ten landscape.