Hilliker Named Head Football Coach At Southern Academy

GREENSBORO, AL — Less than a month after officially retiring from the Tuscaloosa County School System as head football coach of the Northside High Rams, Chris Hilliker is now set to enter the private school coaching ranks.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

On Wednesday, Southern Academy — an AISA competitor — announced Hilliker as its next head coach, which follows his nine seasons in Samantha.

"I wasn't looking to coach anymore," Hilliker told Patch on Wednesday. "It just worked out this way. They are really looking to continue to build something good. That's what attracted me most."

As Patch previously reported, Hilliker retired as the winningest coach in Northside football history, while also guiding the Rams farther in the AHSAA than any other point in school history.

Hilliker is set to meet with Southern Academy players and parents on Monday to discuss summer workouts. The Southern Academy Cougars will no doubt look to Hilliker to strengthen the program, especially coming off an 0-9 campaign during the 2021 season.

A graduate of Hillcrest High School, Hilliker left his head coaching role at Hale County High School in 2012 to take over a historically unsuccessful Northside football program.

At the time when Hilliker first got on campus, the Rams boasted only a handful of playoff appearances since 1959 and not a single postseason win.

He would go on to post a career mark of 77-27 for the Rams, making the playoffs each year.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.