Coach Tilson
Education
Greeneville High School '07
Bachelors of Science
Emory & Henry College '11
Masters of Education
Emory & Henry College '11
Tilson, began his career coaching at North Park University in Chicago, IL from the 2013 to 2015
seasons. He served as the Special Teams / Strength & Conditioning Coordinator and defensive line coach
for the program. Tilson was a part of a staff that took over a program regarded as one of the worst
programs in college football. The North Park University Vikings broke a 13 year, 89 conference game
losing streak under their tutelage. The Vikings continued to improve in Tilson’s three-year stint,
culminating in defeating the top-ranked #24 Illinois Wesleyan Titans.
From Chicago, Tilson returned to his alma mater, Emory & Henry College to serve as the
Recruiting Coordinator and defensive line coach. The Wasps’ defensive line unit saw tremendous
success during Tilson’s three years from 2016 to 2018. Two Wasps defensive linemen were named Pre-
Season DIII All-Americans. In addition to the success on the defensive front, Tilson was charged with
recruiting the state of Tennessee, E&H saw great success recruiting the state.
The past two seasons, Tilson served as the Linebackers Coach for the Unicoi County High school
Blue Devils. The linebacker group gained many accolades under Tilson’s leadership. The 2019 season
saw Junior Middle Linebacker, Isaiah Smith, was named Region 1 AAA Defensive Player of the Year. In
addition to Smith, Sam linebacker, Tracy Vanover, and weakside linebacker, Nehemiah Edwards were
both named to the Region 1 AAA team.
In addition to coaching collegiately, Tilson has coached football internationally in both Germany
and Denmark. In 2012, Tilson served as the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator for the AFC
Paderborn Dolphins (Germany). He also played on the squad as an offensive lineman. In the summer of
2014, Tilson returned to Europe to work as the offensive coordinator for the AFC Horsens Stallions in
Denmark.
The Greeneville, TN native credits his previous coaching experience in molding him for this job.
“I’ve been lucky to have great mentors at each of these spots to teach me different parts of being a head
coach. I admire how Coach Mike Conway (NPU Head Coach/Current Olivet Nazarene University Athletic
Director), Curt Newsome (E&H Head Coach), and Drew Rice (UCHS Head Coach) took me as a family
member and mentored me to prepared for an opportunity like this, “ states Coach Tilson. “I look
forward to implementing a program that first has unbelievable amounts of integrity. Second, one that has fun
seasons. He served as the Special Teams / Strength & Conditioning Coordinator and defensive line coach
for the program. Tilson was a part of a staff that took over a program regarded as one of the worst
programs in college football. The North Park University Vikings broke a 13 year, 89 conference game
losing streak under their tutelage. The Vikings continued to improve in Tilson’s three-year stint,
culminating in defeating the top-ranked #24 Illinois Wesleyan Titans.
From Chicago, Tilson returned to his alma mater, Emory & Henry College to serve as the
Recruiting Coordinator and defensive line coach. The Wasps’ defensive line unit saw tremendous
success during Tilson’s three years from 2016 to 2018. Two Wasps defensive linemen were named Pre-
Season DIII All-Americans. In addition to the success on the defensive front, Tilson was charged with
recruiting the state of Tennessee, E&H saw great success recruiting the state.
The past two seasons, Tilson served as the Linebackers Coach for the Unicoi County High school
Blue Devils. The linebacker group gained many accolades under Tilson’s leadership. The 2019 season
saw Junior Middle Linebacker, Isaiah Smith, was named Region 1 AAA Defensive Player of the Year. In
addition to Smith, Sam linebacker, Tracy Vanover, and weakside linebacker, Nehemiah Edwards were
both named to the Region 1 AAA team.
In addition to coaching collegiately, Tilson has coached football internationally in both Germany
and Denmark. In 2012, Tilson served as the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator for the AFC
Paderborn Dolphins (Germany). He also played on the squad as an offensive lineman. In the summer of
2014, Tilson returned to Europe to work as the offensive coordinator for the AFC Horsens Stallions in
Denmark.
The Greeneville, TN native credits his previous coaching experience in molding him for this job.
“I’ve been lucky to have great mentors at each of these spots to teach me different parts of being a head
coach. I admire how Coach Mike Conway (NPU Head Coach/Current Olivet Nazarene University Athletic
Director), Curt Newsome (E&H Head Coach), and Drew Rice (UCHS Head Coach) took me as a family
member and mentored me to prepared for an opportunity like this, “ states Coach Tilson. “I look
forward to implementing a program that first has unbelievable amounts of integrity. Second, one that has fun
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