| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1936-09-24)September 24, 1936 (age 88) Warren, Ohio, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1955–1957 | Ohio |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1972–1977 | Ball State (DC/LB) |
| 1978–1985 | Wisconsin (DC/LB) |
| 1986 | Wisconsin (interim HC) |
| 1987 | Kent State (DC/LB) |
| 1988–1990 | Kansas (DC/LB) |
| 1991–1993 | Toronto Argonauts (DL) |
| 1994 | Ottawa Rough Riders (DL) |
| 1995 | Illinois State (DC/LB) |
| 1996 | Western New Mexico (DC/DL/LB) |
| 1997 | Edmonton Eskimos (DL) |
| 1998–2000 | Amsterdam Admirals (DL) |
| 2001 | Los Angeles Xtreme (DC/LB) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 3–9 (college) 17–3 (high school) |
James L. Hilles (born September 24, 1936) is a formerAmerican football player and coach. He served as the interim head football coach atUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison for one season in 1986, compiling a record of 3–9.
Hilles is a native ofWarren, Ohio.[1] As a player, Hilles lettered three years (1955–1957) in football atOhio University, where he was selected captain his senior year. He receivedMid-American Conference honorable mention before earning a Bachelor's degree in 1958. He received his Master of Arts degree in Secondary Administration fromWestminster College in 1971.
After graduation, Hilles coached two seasons atWilmington, Ohio and later moved toToledo, Ohio for five years of coaching atLibbey High School andMacomber High School. While in Toledo, Hilles served as player-coach for the Toledo Tornadoes in theContinental Football League. He returned to Warren in 1966 as defensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach in 1970 atWestern Reserve High School. He coached the Western Reserve football team in Warren to a 17–3 record during the 1970 and 1971 seasons.
In 1972, Hilles joined the staff ofDave McClain atBall State University. During his six seasons, Hilles helped Ball State join the Mid-American Conference in 1973, achieveNCAA Division I status in 1974, and was defensive coordinator of the 1976 MAC championship team.
Hilles continued to be the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach on Dave McClain's staff at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison (1978–1985). After McClain's death on April 28, 1986, Hilles was named interim head football coach for the 1986 season.
In 1987, Hilles joined the staff ofGlen Mason atKent State University. He followed Mason to theUniversity of Kansas the next year and was the Jayhawks' defensive coordinator (1988–1990). Hilles coached in theCanadian Football League, serving as defensive line coach for theToronto Argonauts (1991–1993),Ottawa Rough Riders (1994), andEdmonton Eskimos (1997). He later coached for theAmsterdam Admirals in theNFL Europe league (1998–2000). In 2001, Hilles served as defensive coordinator for theLos Angeles Xtreme of theXFL.
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Badgers(Big Ten Conference)(1986) | |||||||||
| 1986 | Wisconsin | 3–9 | 2–6 | T–8th | |||||
| Wisconsin: | 3–9 | 2–6 | |||||||
| Total: | 3–9 | ||||||||