Ike Hilliard- New WR Coach

[McLoofus 35,182]

 

[McLoofus 35,182]

Louisiana born and bred, college ball in Florida, and this is his coaching resume. Can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts.

Quote

Coaching career

Florida Tuskers

Forced to retire after a string of injuries and nine surgeries, Hilliard became a volunteer receivers coach for the UFL's Florida Tuskers, a charter UFL franchise based in Orlando, Florida. In 2010, he became the Tuskers' new wide receivers coach for the season. He worked alongside Head Coach Jim Haslett and Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden. The Tuskers appeared in the first two UFL Championship Games, losing both to the Las Vegas Locomotives. In 2010, the league suspended the Tuskers' operations and moved the remnants of the team to Virginia Beach to assume the identity (and some executive staff) of a previously announced expansion team that was to begin play in 2011.[35][36]

Miami Dolphins

In 2011, Hilliard returned to the NFL as an assistant wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins under Head Coach Tony Sparano assisting in the development of Brandon Marshall and Brian Hartline.

Washington Redksins

In 2012, Hilliard was hired by Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins as the wide receivers coach. He oversaw a unit that had four wide receivers with at least 500 receiving yards or more (Santana Moss, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan and Pierre Garçon). The Redskins ended the regular season with a 7-game winning streak to finish with a 10–6 record, leading to a NFC East division championship and a 4th seed spot in the playoffs. It was their first division title since 1999.[37][circular reference]

Buffalo Bills

In 2013, the Buffalo Bills hired Hilliard as the wide receivers coach.[38] Hilliard oversaw a young group of receivers that included veteran Steve Johnson and rookies Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin.

Washington Redskins

In January 2014, Hilliard was reunited with Jay Gruden when the Head Coach named Hilliard the wide receivers coach of the Washington Redskins of the NFL. This would be his second stint with the Redskins reunited with a veteran unit that included Pierre Garçon, DeSean Jackson and Santana Moss. In the 2015 season, the Redskins made a return to the playoffs since their appearance in 2012. The Redskins would go on a 4-game winning streak to finish the season, and win the NFC East with a 9–7 record. However, the Redskins lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round 35–18, ending their season.[39] During the 2019 season, Hilliard helped to develop a group of rookie wide receivers which included Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon and Steven Sims.[40] McLaurin finished the season with 58 receptions for 919 yards and 7 touchdowns, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[41]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Hilliard joined the Pittsburgh Steelers to be their wide receivers coach in February 2020.[42] Rookie Chase Claypool was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2020 NFL Draft as the team's first selection.[43] Under Hilliard, Claypool became the first Steelers rookie in franchise history to score four touchdowns in a game, and the first Steeler since Roy Jefferson in 1968 to do so.[44] Claypool also became the only wide receiver in NFL history to accomplish this feat in the same game. His performance helped the team start out with a 4–0 record for the first time since 1979.[45] On October 14, 2020, Claypool was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 5.[46] Claypool would finish the season passing former Steelers wideout Troy Edwards for the most receptions by a rookie in franchise history, snagging his 62nd of the season on the touchdown pass from quarterback Mason Rudolph during Week 17. Claypool also tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris and former Steelers wide receiver Louis Lipps for the most touchdowns scored by a Steelers rookie in a single season with 11. Both records added to an already impressive first season for the former Notre Dame wideout, who won the Joe Greene Great Performance Award as the Steelers’ top rookie and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[47] Under Hilliard, WR Diontae Johnson finished the 2021 season with 107 receptions for 1,161 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns in 16 games. Diontae Johnson was then named to his first Pro Bowl, replacing Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase.[48] Following the 2021 season, Hilliard's contract was not renewed by the team.[49]

 

Edited February 23, 2022 by McLoofus

[au302 2,669]

Hell yes

[Win4AU 4,052]

Cool

[toddc 13,194]

Auburn hires former Florida great and NFL coach Ike Hilliard as WR coach

ByJASON CALDWELL 9 minutes ago

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AUBURN, Alabama—Following the move of wide receivers coach Eric Kiesau to offensive coordinator, Auburn football has named former SEC great and 12-year National Football League veteran Ike Hilliard as wide receivers coach, Bryan Harsin announced Wednesday. An All-American at Florida in 1996, Hilliard spent the previous 11 seasons coaching in the NFL, most recently as wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Ike is exactly what we are looking for to lead our wide receivers room,"Harsin.  "His credentials really speak for themself - All-American in the SEC, NFL First Round pick, 12 years as a very productive player in the league and a decade plus coaching in the NFL.

"Amongst all of those accomplishments one other thing really stood out showing who Ike is as a person and leader. He made a commitment to his family that he would graduate from college, and he never lost sight of that, finishing up his degree while also being a full-time NFL coach. Ike, without a doubt, possesses the same values that we want our Auburn program to be known for - character, discipline, toughness and conviction. We are excited to welcome Ike, his wife Lourdes and their children to the Auburn family."

This past season with the Steelers, Hilliard had two receivers with over 100 receptions in Diontae Johnson (169) and Chase Claypool(105). Johnson led the team with 1,161 yards, 169 receptions and eight touchdowns enroute to earning his first All-Pro honors. Johnson was seventh in the league in receptions and 10th in receiving yards.

During the 2020 season, Hilliard's first in Pittsburgh, the Steelers became just the seventh team in NFL history to have five different players catch at least five touchdown passes in a single season; wide receiver Chase Claypool (9), wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9), wide receiver Diontae Johnson(7), wide receiver James Washington (5) and tight end Eric Ebron (5). Claypool led all rookie receivers in touchdown catches (9), while finishing second among rookies in total touchdowns (11) and fourth among rookies in receiving yards (873).

"Auburn is one of true giants within the college football landscape. The responsibility - and opportunity - to be a part of Coach Harsin's staff here at Auburn is something I'm extremely grateful for," Hilliard said. "The process in place to grow and build this program is impressive, I felt it in every conversation I had with Coach Harsin and others on staff. The decision was easy to join the Auburn family. It's go-time now as I can't wait to teach, mentor and lead the young men in our wide receiver room."

Hilliard served as the wide receivers coach in Washington for seven seasons over two different stints (2012, 2014-19). He has also served as the wide receivers coach in Buffalo (2013) and assistant wide receivers coach in Miami (2011).

Under Hilliard's tutelage in 2019, wideout Terry McLaurin had one of the top rookie receiving seasons in Washington Football Team history. He led Washington in all three major receiving categories. McLaurin registered 58 catches for 919 yards and 7 TD receptions in 14 games. His 919 receiving yards and 7 TDs ranked second in franchise rookie history. Among all NFL rookies, McLaurin ranked second in receiving yards, tied for second in receptions and tied for third in TD receptions. He also ranked second in yards per catch (15.8) among rookies with at least 20 receptions.

In 2018, Hilliard played a major role in wide receiver Josh Doctson setting single season career highs in receptions (44) and receiving yards (532). He also oversaw a season in which Jamison Crowder set a single season high in yards per reception with a mark of 13.4.

Hilliard guided a young wide receiver corps in 2017 that helped quarterback Kirk Cousinsbecome the first player in team history to record a third consecutive 4,000-yard passing season. Jamison Crowder led Washington in receptions (66) and receiving yards (789) and at age 24 on the final day of the calendar year, became the youngest player to lead Washington in receptions since Gary Clark (24) in 1986. Meanwhile, second-year pro Josh Doctson, who had been limited by injury to only two games in his rookie campaign, led Washington with six receiving TDs, and fourth-year pro Ryan Grant recorded career highs in receptions (45), receiving yards (573) and receiving TDs (four).

Hilliard's group played a major role in Washington's record-setting offense in 2016, a unit that set single-season team records in yards per game (403.4), yards per play (6.40), net passing yards (4,758), completions (407), passing first downs (226) and 500-yard games (three). Veteran wideouts Pierre Garçon (1,041) and DeSean Jackson (1,005) both eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the season, representing the first time Washington featured multiple 1,000-yard receivers since 1999 (Albert Connell and Michael Westbrook).

During Washington's NFC East championship season in 2015, Hilliard coached a group that prominently featured two prolific veterans (Garçon and Jackson) and two young players in their first or second NFL seasons (Crowder and Ryan Grant, respectively). Garçon posted 72 receptions, the second highest total of his career, while Jackson recorded 528 receiving yards and 4 TDs despite being limited by injury to nine games. Hilliard's guidance also helped Crowder to a Washington rookie record 59 receptions in 2015.

In his return to Washington in 2014, Hilliard managed the incorporation of Jackson into the team's offense after joining the team as a free agent. Jackson led Washington with 1,169 receiving yards on 56 receptions, becoming the fifth member of Washington to post 1,000 receiving yards in his first season in Washington (Bobby Mitchell in 1962, Henry Ellard in 1994, Laveranues Coles in 2003 and Santana Moss in 2005). Jackson averaged an NFL best 20.9 yards per reception and was the first member of Washington to finish a season as the NFL leader in yards per reception since Henry Ellard (19.5 in 1996).

Hilliard served as wide receivers coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2013, helping mold a young group that included rookie second-round pick Robert Woods (40 receptions for 587 yards with three TDs) and rookie third-round pick Marquise Goodwin (17 receptions for 283 yards with three TDs).

In his first stint with Washington in 2012, Hilliard guided the team's receivers to the franchise's first division title since 1999. He incorporated free agents Pierre Garçon and Joshua Morganinto the offense, helping Garçon lead the team in receiving yards (633 in only 10 games) and helping Morgan lead Washington in receptions (48). Hilliard also oversaw the resurgence of veteran slot receiver Santana Moss, who caught 41 passes for 573 yards and 8 TDs, his most since recording 9 receiving TDs in his first season in Washington in 2005. The group's toughness on the perimeter also helped the offense rush for a League-best 2,709 yards, a franchise record.

In 2011, Hilliard served as the assistant wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins. He helped in the development of wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who was selected for his third Pro Bowl and first as a member of the Dolphins. Additionally, Marshall finished third in the AFC in receiving yards with 1,214 and recorded his fifth-consecutive 1,000-plus yard season.

Prior to joining the Dolphins, Hilliard spent two seasons coaching for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. Hilliard worked as a volunteer coach with the Tuskers in 2009 and was elevated to the position of Receivers Coach for 2010.

As a player, Hilliard was a first-round selection in the 1997 NFL Draft (No. 7 overall). He played 12 seasons, eight with the New York Giants (1997-2004) and four with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005-08). In 161 career games (106 starts), Hilliard caught 546 passes for 6,397 yards and 35 TDs.

Hilliard played collegiately at the University of Florida from 1994-96, catching 126 passes for 2,214 yards and 26 TDs. He earned first-team All-SEC and All-American honors as a junior. In the final game that season, he recorded 7 catches for 150 yards and 3 TDs to help lead the Gators to a 52-20 Sugar Bowl win to secure the school's first national championship.

[aucanucktiger 1,789]

One of Spurriers biggest weapons, Ike knows his craft.

[AUinMS9528 1,086]

Impressive resume!   That should translate into recruiting.   Hoping he can develop some solid pass catching options ASAP!!!

[Barnacle 9,064]

I'm pretty damn excited about this if I'm an Auburn WR. 

[autiger88 3,777]

Finally some good news! I like this hire. 

[gravejd 3,269]

Best assistant hire we’ve made this off-season. 

[Win4AU 4,052]

Is this the part where Harsin starts to turn it around?

[AuCivilEng1 10,995]

Now that’s the kind of hire you like to see! Nice work by Harsin. Hope all of the NFL experience translates into recruiting wins.

[aucom96 1,614]

This definitely fits the 2022 or bust mentality Harsin seems to be running with. The NFL experience is encouraging, but I don't know that the guy has ever recruited and that receiver room needs some recruiting. 

[JDUBB4AU 5,102]

Gotta recruit , but his coaching pedigree is strong . Love it 

[au302 2,669]

5 minutes ago, aucom96 said:

This definitely fits the 2022 or bust mentality Harsin seems to be running with. The NFL experience is encouraging, but I don't know that the guy has ever recruited and that receiver room needs some recruiting. 

His resume should sell itself in recruiting. Star player that knows what it takes. Coached in the league for last 10 years and has great connections. Helped develop some stud receivers. Hard for me to see how he would suck at recruiting unless he has zero interest and totally mails it in, which is always possible

[oracle79 3,569]

Hmmm, Etheridge staying and promoted. Trovon staying and promoted. Now legend Ike Hilliard signed on as WR coach. What is going on? How is this good news leaking out?

[alexava 6,973]

I like it. 

[AUinMS9528 1,086]

I browsed through his credentials, but I missed his connection to Idaho.   Can someone fill me in, real quick?

[CR 2,427]

Gotta know his stuff to have that many NFL jobs. I wish he had some recruiting background but hopefully he takes to it like Eason did.

[PoetTiger 1,896]

21 minutes ago, aucom96 said:

This definitely fits the 2022 or bust mentality Harsin seems to be running with. The NFL experience is encouraging, but I don't know that the guy has ever recruited and that receiver room needs some recruiting. 

They said the same thing about Nick Eason. That worked out ok.

[aubiefifty 16,705]

it is funny how we never get right the coaches we think will get hired. this is great news! harsin is making other news as well that seem very promising. thanx for posting

[aublue88 145]

Really nice hire!  

[TigerTale 357]

Totally despised him when he was playing at Florida. Probably because he was so good, and he was playing for Spurrier. But glad he's our WR coach!

[DyeCampAlum 335]

This looks great. Totally confused about what happened in Pittsburgh.

[Beaker 2,457]

13 minutes ago, AUinMS9528 said:

I browsed through his credentials, but I missed his connection to Idaho.   Can someone fill me in, real quick?

The man prefers curly fries to string fries.  It was right after the resume bullets as a WR from UF.    Read more closely.