Ike Hilliard facts for kids
Hilliard with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008
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| Atlanta Falcons | |||||||
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| Position: | Wide receivers coach | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | April 5, 1976 Patterson, Louisiana, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Patterson | ||||||
| College: | Florida (1994–1996) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1997 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 | ||||||
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| As coach: | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Isaac Jason Hilliard (born April 5, 1976) is an American football coach and former wide receiver. He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL). He played most of his career with the New York Giants.
Hilliard played college football for the Florida Gators. He was named an All-American in 1996. The New York Giants picked him seventh overall in the 1997 NFL draft. Hilliard also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he retired in 2008.
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Early Life and High School Football
Ike Hilliard was born in Patterson, Louisiana in 1976. He went to Patterson High School. There, he was a star player for the Patterson Lumberjacks football team.
In his senior year, he played quarterback, wingback, and free safety. He ran for 737 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he made 45 tackles and caught five interceptions. Even though he was a top defensive back, he really wanted to play wide receiver.
College Football Career
Hilliard received a scholarship to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He played wide receiver for the Florida Gators football team from 1994 to 1996. This was his first time playing that position.
During his three years as a Gator, the team won three SEC Championships. These wins were in 1994, 1995, and 1996. In 1996, as a junior, he and fellow receiver Reidel Anthony both gained over 1,000 receiving yards. Both players were named first-team All-Southeastern Conference and All-Americans.
The Gators won their first national football title that year. They finished the season with a 12–1 record. They beat the Florida State Seminoles 52–20 in the 1997 Sugar Bowl. Hilliard had an amazing game in the Sugar Bowl. He set three Sugar Bowl records: 150 receiving yards, an 82-yard touchdown catch, and three total touchdowns.
Hilliard is a member of the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. He was honored as an SEC Legend in 2011.
Hilliard decided to enter the NFL draft after his junior season. He finished his college career with 126 catches for 2,214 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Professional Football Career
Playing for the New York Giants
The New York Giants chose Hilliard as the seventh overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. He played his first eight seasons with the Giants, from 1997 to 2004. He became a regular starter in 1998.
He helped the Giants beat the Minnesota Vikings 41–0 in the 2000 NFC Championship Game. In that game, he caught 10 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. This helped his team reach Super Bowl XXXV.
Hilliard faced many injuries during his time with the Giants. Early in his rookie year, he had a serious back injury that needed surgery. After recovering, he received the Ed Block Courage Award in 1998. This award honors players who show inspiration, sportsmanship, and courage. He also dealt with other injuries like a bruised lung, foot surgery, and a dislocated shoulder.
With the Giants, Hilliard had 368 catches for 4,630 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. He ranks among the top players in Giants history for receptions and receiving yards. He officially retired as a Giant on July 30, 2010.
Playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On May 6, 2005, Hilliard signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For his first two seasons, he was mainly a third or fourth receiver. In 2007, he started ten games and caught 62 passes for 722 yards.
He became known as a "third down specialist" for the Bucs. Many of his catches resulted in a first down. His coach, Jon Gruden, even called him "Third and Ike."
On October 19, 2008, Hilliard was hit hard during a game. He refused to be taken off the field on a cart. He was released by the Buccaneers on February 25, 2009.
In his twelve-season NFL career, Hilliard played in 161 regular-season games. He started 105 of them. He made 546 catches for 6,397 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had 126 rushing yards.
NFL Career Statistics
Receiving statistics
| Year | Team | GP | Rec | Yards | Avg | Lng | TD | FD | Fum | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | NYG | 2 | 2 | 42 | 21.0 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | NYG | 16 | 51 | 715 | 14.0 | 50 | 2 | 29 | 2 | 2 |
| 1999 | NYG | 16 | 72 | 996 | 13.8 | 46 | 3 | 50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | NYG | 14 | 55 | 787 | 14.3 | 59 | 8 | 44 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | NYG | 14 | 52 | 659 | 12.7 | 38 | 6 | 36 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | NYG | 7 | 27 | 386 | 14.3 | 38 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | NYG | 13 | 60 | 608 | 10.1 | 38 | 6 | 38 | 2 | 2 |
| 2004 | NYG | 16 | 49 | 437 | 8.9 | 43 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 1 |
| 2005 | TB | 16 | 35 | 282 | 8.1 | 22 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | TB | 16 | 34 | 339 | 10.0 | 44 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | TB | 15 | 62 | 722 | 11.6 | 56 | 1 | 37 | 2 | 2 |
| 2008 | TB | 16 | 47 | 424 | 9.0 | 36 | 4 | 31 | 1 | 1 |
| Career | 161 | 546 | 6,397 | 11.7 | 59 | 35 | 353 | 10 | 8 | |
Returning statistics
| Year | Team | GP | PR | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | NYG | 16 | 4 | 26 | 6.5 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | TB | 16 | 24 | 163 | 6.8 | 16 | 0 | 3 |
| 2007 | TB | 15 | 15 | 92 | 6.1 | 20 | 0 | 4 |
| 2008 | TB | 16 | 3 | 19 | 6.3 | 11 | 0 | 7 |
| Career | 63 | 46 | 300 | 6.5 | 20 | 0 | 14 | |
Coaching Career
After many injuries, Hilliard retired from playing. He then started a career as a coach.
Florida Tuskers
In 2009, Hilliard became a volunteer wide receivers coach for the UFL's Florida Tuskers. In 2010, he became the team's official wide receivers coach. The Tuskers played in the first two UFL championship games.
Miami Dolphins
In 2011, Hilliard returned to the NFL. He became an assistant wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins. He helped develop players like Brandon Marshall and Brian Hartline.
Washington Redskins
In 2012, Hilliard was hired by the Washington Redskins as their wide receivers coach. He worked with a group of four wide receivers who each had over 500 receiving yards. The Redskins won their division title in 2012.
Buffalo Bills
In 2013, the Buffalo Bills hired Hilliard as their wide receivers coach. He coached a young group of receivers, including veteran Steve Johnson and rookies Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin.
Return to Washington Redskins
In January 2014, Hilliard returned to the Washington Redskins as wide receivers coach. He coached experienced players like Pierre Garçon and DeSean Jackson. In 2015, the Redskins made it to the playoffs again. They won their division with a 9–7 record.
During the 2019 season, Hilliard helped new rookie receivers grow. Terry McLaurin had a great season with 58 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. McLaurin was named to the All-Rookie Team.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Hilliard joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as their wide receivers coach in February 2020. He helped rookie Chase Claypool have an amazing start. Claypool scored four touchdowns in one game, a first for a Steelers rookie. This helped the team start the season with a 4–0 record.
Under Hilliard, Diontae Johnson had a strong 2021 season. He made 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. Johnson was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. After the 2021 season, Hilliard's contract with the Steelers was not renewed.
Auburn Tigers
On February 23, 2022, Hilliard became the new wide receivers coach for the Auburn Tigers. Later that year, he was named interim co-offensive coordinator. This happened after the head coach was dismissed. He left Auburn after the 2022 season.
Atlanta Falcons
Hilliard was named the wide receivers coach for the Atlanta Falcons on February 1, 2024.
Personal Life
Ike Hilliard is the nephew of New Orleans Saints running back Dalton Hilliard. His cousin Kenny Hilliard also played in the NFL. Ike and his wife Lourdes met at the University of Florida. They have five children.
After playing and coaching in the NFL for 23 seasons, Hilliard went back to the University of Florida. He finished his college degree while working as an NFL coach from 2013 to 2018.
See also
- 1996 College Football All-America Team
- Florida Gators football, 1990–99
- History of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- List of Florida Gators football All-Americans
- List of Florida Gators in the NFL draft
- List of New York Giants players
- List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
