He assumed his former position when John Brady left Samford to become the head basketball coach at LSU. In fifteen seasons as the coach of the Bulldogs, Tillette compiled record of 229–219, leading the Bulldogs to their only two appearances in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1999 and 2000 while they were a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Tillette returned to his former position at Samford when John Brady moved to LSU as head basketball coach. During fifteen seasons with the Bulldogs, he compiled a record of 229–219, leading them to their two appearances in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1999 and 2000 while they were members of the Atlantic Sun Conference.