Hilliard Named AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year

December 03, 2018

Virginia Union University’s Marcus Hilliard has been named the 2018 Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association on Tuesday, November 27.

Hilliard, who is VUU’s Co-defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach, has been coaching college football for 15 years, and recently completed his first season at Virginia Union.  He Volunteers with Go Team Impact, which is a special program for children with physical challenges.  Hilliard is also Vice President of the HOME TEAM Foundation, which is a non-profit organization with the mission to provide a unique environment and experience for youth and children by providing access to high quality sports programs.  He has volunteered with Miracles of Faith Ministry on the adopt-a-family initiative which provides Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, clothing and toys for underprivileged families in the Wayne County, North Carolina, area and is an active member of the Omega Psi Phi, Delta Iota Chapter, which raises funds for local youth scholarships and sponsors a clothing drive for underprivileged families in Northeastern North Carolina.  Hillard has been a member of the AFCA Division II Assistant Coaches Committee since 2012 and the AFCA Minority Issues Committee since 2016.

Hilliard guided a Virginia Union defense in 2018 that led the CIAA in points allowed (18.9 ppg), total defense (313.6 ypg) and passing defense (179.7 ypg) with a team that went 8-2 on the season with two shutouts.  He has been a part of 10 winning seasons in his 15 years as a coach.

“I am extremely proud of this honor for Coach Hilliard,” said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker.  “He is a top quality assistant and, more importantly, a trusted friend. This award could not have been given to a more deserving Coach.  The AFCA is the top governing body in college football and this is a huge honor not only for our football program but the entire University. Much congratulations to Coach Hilliard.”

Each year, staff representatives from NCAA and NAIA football-playing schools are asked to nominate an assistant for consideration. From those nominations, the winners are selected by the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Committee.

The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.