Featured Image: Former Skyhawk defensive back coach Dalton Hilliard coaches players at preseason practice on Aug. 5, 2019 at Hardy M. Graham Stadium | (Photo Credit/UTM Athletics)
On Feb. 12, the Tennessee Titans announced the hire of former UT Martin coach Dalton Hilliard in the defensive back/nickel coaching position.
Hilliard was the defensive back’s coach for the Skyhawks between 2019-2020 before moving on to Arkansas State in 2021. Hilliard serves in a specialty role for the Titans now, with a focus on the nickel position – one that is still developing in the NFL with Hilliard becoming one of just five designated nickel coaches in the entire league.
A former safety, Hilliard spent four seasons at UCLA as a player from 2009-12
Hilliard spent 11 total seasons coaching college football after his playing career was over. Beginning at his alma mater UCLA as a graduate assistant under former Atlanta Falcons head coach Jim Mora before getting his first full-time job as a defensive backs coach at UT Martin under coach Jason Simpson.
In his time with the Skyhawks, Hilliard recruited the No.1 defensive back class in the Ohio Valley Conference(OVC) and a top five class in the FCS national rankings of 2019. Hilliard also produced results on the field where the Skyhawks ranked first in the OVC in pass defense efficiency along with the top scoring defense in the conference as well.
Hilliard coached All-OVC defensive back DaVonte Maura who tallied 73 tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception and 11 pass breakups.
Former Skyhawk star safety Oshae Baker was not surprised to see him rise to the top as fast as he has.
“He carried himself like a pro in everything he did,” said Baker. “He’s watched a lot of film. He’s ready to teach. But within all of that, he was still looking out and making sure everybody was ok. If you ever needed somebody to talk to, he was always there.”
Despite hardly playing defensive back before Martin, Baker slowly built a legacy as a staple in the Skyhawk defensive back field. An achievement made possible by Hilliard’s foundation on the field and off the field.
“He really taught me everything I knew. I want to say it was like two months that I had with coach Hilliard, but in those two months he showed me everything I needed…We did a lot of one-on-one,” said Baker. “He [also] showed me it was always bigger than football…He always wanted to see how you’re doing and how your family’s doing.”
Baker went on to tie the Skyhawk’s career interception record and break the career pass break up record along with a litany of other achievements like third team All-American in 2024 and first team Big South-OVC between 2023-24.
Hilliard now has his chance to produce elite talent like Baker in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans.
