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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons are hoping their new wide receivers coach can help transform the position for the better. To answer the question in the title of this article as quickly as possible, Ike Hilliard’s track record says yes.
The Atlanta Falcons coaching staff underwent a significant makeover this offseason, with the spotlight on the trio of Raheem Morris, Jimmy Lake, and Zac Robinson. Head coaches and coordinators are often directly associated with the product on the field, whereas positional coaches are treated more like cogs in the greater machine. However, many have come to understand that’s not quite the case.
Dwayne Ledford’s ascension to an incredibly valuable asset for the Falcons exemplifies how impactful position coaches are and how they offer their head coach and coordinators a wealth of knowledge.
Ledford has been credited with helping turn around a consistently shaky offensive line into one of the more respected groups league-wide while developing young players like Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman, Kaleb McGary, and, most recently, Matthew Bergeron. This begs the question: Who else on this staff can make a similar impact?
Enter new Falcons wide receivers coach, Ike Hilliard. Hilliard is the most underrated addition to the Falcons coaching staff, and his resume backs that up.
Like Kyle Pitts and Drake London, Hilliard was a top-10 pick after a stellar college career. Unfortunately, Hilliard suffered a season-ending neck injury two games into his rookie campaign. He would deal with a myriad of injuries over the years, but that didn’t stop him from having a productive 12-year career.
It’s also a career some Falcons fans may be familiar with, considering Hilliard finished his career as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, where he overlapped with then-defensive backs coach Raheem Morris. Hilliard’s ability to connect with his players and understand their professional challenges has led to a very successful coaching career, instilling confidence in his ability to lead the Falcons’ wide receivers.
Hilliard has 10 seasons under his belt as a wide receivers coach, with stints in Washington (2012; 2014-19), Buffalo (2013), and Pittsburgh (2020-21). During his time at each, he oversaw many successful wide receiver groups, almost all featuring young receivers.
Early in his career, Hilliard worked with established veterans Santana Moss, Pierre Garçon, and Desean Jackson, helping each maintain or reach new heights. During this time, he developed rookies Robert Woods (second-round pick) and Jamison Crowder (fourth-round pick), giving Woods a good foundation and helping Crowder set the franchise rookie reception record and exceed career expectations. He even turned Ryan Grant (fifth-round pick) into a serviceable pass catcher. Assisting young players in reaching and exceeding their potential would become a theme throughout his career.
Towards the end of his Washington tenure and the start of his Pittsburgh one, Hilliard worked with primarily young or inexperienced wideouts. Terry McLaurin was able to hit the ground running under Hilliard, putting up 919 yards and seven touchdowns. When Hilliard landed in Steel City, it was business as usual, but the task was no cakewalk. Juju Smith-Schuster was the veteran of the group with only three years of playing experience. All of Pittsburgh’s wide receivers were still on their rookie contracts (with over half being in their first or second year). Hilliard was able to maximize each and every one of their abilities to the fullest during his stint there.
During the Hilliard era, Pittsburgh became the seventh team in history to have five players catch at least five touchdown passes in a single season (tight end Eric Ebron was the only non-wide receiver). Chase Claypool led all rookies in touchdown receptions and finished second in yards. Smith-Schuster and Washington set single-season bests for touchdowns, and Diontae Johnson received All-Pro honors in 2021. This young core was never the same after Hilliard’s departure, with all of these players on to new teams or getting ready to put their careers to bed. That shows how invaluable Hilliard was to the room.
Today, Hilliard finds himself in a familiar situation. The Falcons have untapped talent at wide receiver, with many believing that Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Rondale Moore have yet to hit their ceilings. There’s also rookie Casey Washington, who has already garnered praise from the staff after rookie mini-camp. Ray-Ray McCloud is a familiar face for Hilliard from his Pittsburgh days, and the coach hasn’t been shy about his admiration for the wideout. Last but not least is Kyle Pitts, who will get work as a tight end and wide receiver. Hilliard has unique experience working with a true hybrid player of Pitts’ caliber, thanks to his time in Washington with Jordan Reed. It truly feels like Hilliard has seen it all, and his relationships have had immeasurable impact on the players and offenses he has worked with.
Everyone talks about wanting a Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan disciple, but this team has both, and Hilliard is a part of that illustrious coaching tree. McVay and Hilliard worked as position coaches under the father-son duo of Mike and Kyle Shanahan, and his wideouts competed with Raheem Morris’ defensive backs daily. Hilliard later operated under McVay when he was promoted to offensive coordinator. On top of that, Hilliard worked with a young Kirk Cousins, who set multiple franchise passing records during his time in Washington. That player and staff familiarity will only pay dividends as the season develops.
Morris takes care of his guys and values his coaching relationships, but it’s clear that Hilliard has more than earned this opportunity and all of the ones before it. The Falcons may not have taken the approach to wideout many had hoped for, with plenty still believing that there is no real threat opposite of London, but the hiring of Hilliard speaks volumes about the staff’s belief in his abilities to get this room where it needs to be.
Can Hilliard be the next Ledford? Yes, and he only needs to keep being himself to do so. The coach has left his mark everywhere, guiding wide receivers to success regardless of the circumstances.
Who will be the players who benefit most now that he’s in Atlanta? That’s a question many can’t wait to see answered.
<img alt="NFL: Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lmNZUn_z82NYLOdFREALURWLkN8=/0x160:3499x2493/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73458892/usa_today_9766464.0.jpg">
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons are hoping their new wide receivers coach can help transform the position for the better. To answer the question in the title of this article as quickly as possible, Ike Hilliard’s track record says yes.
The Atlanta Falcons coaching staff underwent a significant makeover this offseason, with the spotlight on the trio of Raheem Morris, Jimmy Lake, and Zac Robinson. Head coaches and coordinators are often directly associated with the product on the field, whereas positional coaches are treated more like cogs in the greater machine. However, many have come to understand that’s not quite the case.
Dwayne Ledford’s ascension to an incredibly valuable asset for the Falcons exemplifies how impactful position coaches are and how they offer their head coach and coordinators a wealth of knowledge.
Ledford has been credited with helping turn around a consistently shaky offensive line into one of the more respected groups league-wide while developing young players like Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman, Kaleb McGary, and, most recently, Matthew Bergeron. This begs the question: Who else on this staff can make a similar impact?
Enter new Falcons wide receivers coach, Ike Hilliard. Hilliard is the most underrated addition to the Falcons coaching staff, and his resume backs that up.
Like Kyle Pitts and Drake London, Hilliard was a top-10 pick after a stellar college career. Unfortunately, Hilliard suffered a season-ending neck injury two games into his rookie campaign. He would deal with a myriad of injuries over the years, but that didn’t stop him from having a productive 12-year career.
It’s also a career some Falcons fans may be familiar with, considering Hilliard finished his career as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, where he overlapped with then-defensive backs coach Raheem Morris. Hilliard’s ability to connect with his players and understand their professional challenges has led to a very successful coaching career, instilling confidence in his ability to lead the Falcons’ wide receivers.
Hilliard has 10 seasons under his belt as a wide receivers coach, with stints in Washington (2012; 2014-19), Buffalo (2013), and Pittsburgh (2020-21). During his time at each, he oversaw many successful wide receiver groups, almost all featuring young receivers.
Early in his career, Hilliard worked with established veterans Santana Moss, Pierre Garçon, and Desean Jackson, helping each maintain or reach new heights. During this time, he developed rookies Robert Woods (second-round pick) and Jamison Crowder (fourth-round pick), giving Woods a good foundation and helping Crowder set the franchise rookie reception record and exceed career expectations. He even turned Ryan Grant (fifth-round pick) into a serviceable pass catcher. Assisting young players in reaching and exceeding their potential would become a theme throughout his career.
Towards the end of his Washington tenure and the start of his Pittsburgh one, Hilliard worked with primarily young or inexperienced wideouts. Terry McLaurin was able to hit the ground running under Hilliard, putting up 919 yards and seven touchdowns. When Hilliard landed in Steel City, it was business as usual, but the task was no cakewalk. Juju Smith-Schuster was the veteran of the group with only three years of playing experience. All of Pittsburgh’s wide receivers were still on their rookie contracts (with over half being in their first or second year). Hilliard was able to maximize each and every one of their abilities to the fullest during his stint there.
During the Hilliard era, Pittsburgh became the seventh team in history to have five players catch at least five touchdown passes in a single season (tight end Eric Ebron was the only non-wide receiver). Chase Claypool led all rookies in touchdown receptions and finished second in yards. Smith-Schuster and Washington set single-season bests for touchdowns, and Diontae Johnson received All-Pro honors in 2021. This young core was never the same after Hilliard’s departure, with all of these players on to new teams or getting ready to put their careers to bed. That shows how invaluable Hilliard was to the room.
Today, Hilliard finds himself in a familiar situation. The Falcons have untapped talent at wide receiver, with many believing that Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Rondale Moore have yet to hit their ceilings. There’s also rookie Casey Washington, who has already garnered praise from the staff after rookie mini-camp. Ray-Ray McCloud is a familiar face for Hilliard from his Pittsburgh days, and the coach hasn’t been shy about his admiration for the wideout. Last but not least is Kyle Pitts, who will get work as a tight end and wide receiver. Hilliard has unique experience working with a true hybrid player of Pitts’ caliber, thanks to his time in Washington with Jordan Reed. It truly feels like Hilliard has seen it all, and his relationships have had immeasurable impact on the players and offenses he has worked with.
Everyone talks about wanting a Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan disciple, but this team has both, and Hilliard is a part of that illustrious coaching tree. McVay and Hilliard worked as position coaches under the father-son duo of Mike and Kyle Shanahan, and his wideouts competed with Raheem Morris’ defensive backs daily. Hilliard later operated under McVay when he was promoted to offensive coordinator. On top of that, Hilliard worked with a young Kirk Cousins, who set multiple franchise passing records during his time in Washington. That player and staff familiarity will only pay dividends as the season develops.
Morris takes care of his guys and values his coaching relationships, but it’s clear that Hilliard has more than earned this opportunity and all of the ones before it. The Falcons may not have taken the approach to wideout many had hoped for, with plenty still believing that there is no real threat opposite of London, but the hiring of Hilliard speaks volumes about the staff’s belief in his abilities to get this room where it needs to be.
Can Hilliard be the next Ledford? Yes, and he only needs to keep being himself to do so. The coach has left his mark everywhere, guiding wide receivers to success regardless of the circumstances.
Who will be the players who benefit most now that he’s in Atlanta? That’s a question many can’t wait to see answered.
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