Steelers Now
A former wide receivers coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers is looking for a new home.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard has been fired by the Atlanta Falcons following their 30-0 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Hilliard served as the Steelers’ wide receivers coach for two seasons (2021-22) and had been credited with the development of young wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool during his time in Pittsburgh.
However, when Claypool began taking a step back, the team decided to not renew Hilliard’s contract after the 2021 season and hired current wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson.
Hilliard had been hired while Randy Fichtner was the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. However, with Matt Canada being promoted before the 2021 season, Frisman Jackson entered as a coach with more experience in Canada’s systems and schemes, having coached with him at NC State.
Hilliard was a former first-round pick of the New York Giants in 1997 and went on to play 12 years in the NFL with the Giants (1997-2004) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004-08). The Florida alum played in 161 games and caught 546 passes for 6,397 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Before he did join the Steelers staff, he spent six seasons as the wide receivers coach in Washington. Hilliard also had stints with the Buffalo Bills (2013) and Miami Dolphins (2011) as their assistant wide receivers coach.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Falcons Fire Former Steelers Wide Receivers Coach
