Falcons Hire Ike Hilliard as WRs Coach; Raheem Morris's Offensive Staff Almost Finalized
The Atlanta Falcons made another assistant coaching hire Thursday, hiring Ike Hilliard as receivers coach, according to NFL Network.
Hilliard, 47, has extensive history with new Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.
From 2007-2008, Hilliard was a receiver on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Morris was an assistant coach, and their paths crossed again in 2012 and 2014 as assistant coaches with the now-Washington Commanders.
Hilliard will take over as receivers coach from T.J. Yates, who was retained by Morris but will transition to coaching quarterbacks.
Auburn Tigers wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard during the A-Day spring practice at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Credit: © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
A first-round pick out of Florida in 1997, Hilliard played 12 NFL seasons, recording 546 catches for 6,397 yards and 35 touchdowns. He spent his first eight campaigns with the New York Giants and final four in Tampa Bay.
Hilliard immediately entered coaching upon retirement, becoming the receivers coach of the United Football League's Florida Tuskers.
After two seasons in that role, Hilliard became the Miami Dolphins' assistant receivers coach.
Over the next decade, Hilliard was a receivers coach, spending seven years and two stints with Washington, one season with the Buffalo Bills and two campaigns with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hilliard's contract wasn't renewed by the Steelers after 2021, a surprising move considering his status as a well-liked figure in the locker room, per ESPN.
Following his departure, Hilliard became Auburn University's receivers coach in 2022 but wasn't retained by the new coaching staff. He spent 2023 out of football.
With Hilliard's hire, the Falcons have now filled all but one top assistant coach position on their offensive staff.
Morris brought now-offensive coordinator Zac Robinson with him from the Los Angeles Rams, while he retained Yates, running backs coach Michael Pitre and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford, who also adds the title of run game coordinator to his responsibilities.
The last vacancy remaining on Atlanta's offensive staff is tight end's coach.
Morris is expected to meet with reporters to explain his hires and outline his plan at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
