Auburn, Alabama (EETV) - Auburn football has hired former Steelers wide receiver coach and former All-American Florida wide receiver Ike Hilliard, head coach Bryan Harsin announced Wednesday morning.
"Ike is exactly what we are looking for to lead our wide receivers room. 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," Harsin said. "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."
While at Florida, he had over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in three years. Hilliard was drafted seventh overall in the 1997 NFL Draft to the New York Giants. During his 12-year career in the NFL, he had over 6000 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns for the Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccanneers.
Hilliard has been coaching in the NFL for the past 11 years as a wide receivers coach for Washington for seven seasons (2012, 2014-2019), Buffalo (2013), and the Steelers for the past two seasons. He was also the assistant wide receivers coach for Miami in 2011.
"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."
This hire comes four days after Harsin promoted Eric Kiesau to offensive coordinator, who served as the wide receivers coach after the firing of Cornelius Williams.
Auburn opens up the 2022 season against the Mercer Bears on Sept. 3 in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
