Terry Tilghman

Class:
Redshirt

Terry Tilghman is in his fourth season as the offensive line coach at Kent State. The Golden Flashes have seen immediate signs of improvement on the line under Tilghman, moving from last in the MAC in rushing in 2005 (45.9 ypg), to third in 2006 (158.4), second in 2007 (200.3) and finally first in 2008 (230.6) - with last year's number ranking 11th nationally.

Under his tutelage, left tackle Augustus Parrish was a two-time second team All-MAC selection.

Tilghman arrived in Kent after serving as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at North Alabama from 2003-05. There he helped the Lions to a pair of NCAA Division II playoff appearances, reaching the tournament semifinals in 2003 and 2005.

At North Alabama he was responsible for coaching a unit that paved the way for one of the top offenses in the Gulf South Conference. In 2005, the Lions offense broke 26 school records and averaged over 411 yards and 36 points per game. He produced three all-conference linemen in 2003, when the squad broke 31 school records.

Prior to his stint at North Alabama, Tilghman coached for eight years at his alma mater, East Carolina University, most recently serving as the recruiting coordinator and director of football operations in 2002. In that capacity he acted as the liaison between the football program and the institution, organized scheduling, team travel, official visits, in-season and out-of-season meal plans, monitored financial aid and recruiting and assisted with compliance and eligibility issues.

Tilghman began his coaching career in 1995 as a graduate assistant at East Carolina assisting with the offensive line. He became a full-time assistant the following year and served as the assistant offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for three seasons. He also coached the tight ends from 1999-01. At East Carolina, he worked with five players who went on to play in the National Football League and helped the team to appearances in three straight bowl games (1999 Mobile (Ala.) Bowl, 2000 GalleryFurniture.com Bowl, 2001 GMAC Bowl).

Tilghman was a four-year letterman on the offensive line for the Pirates, where he played under Doug Martin when he was the offensive coordinator at ECU. He was a first-team Associated Press and Football News All-South Independent Team pick and received the Janet Overton Outstanding Senior Award in 1994. He was a member of both the 1991 Peach Bowl championship squad that finished 11-1 and ranked No. 9 and the 1994 Liberty Bowl team.

Tilghman graduated from East Carolina in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in exercise/sports science. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Terry II and Jacob, and a daughter, Jordan.