University of North Carolina Athletics
Lilly Named Carolina Football’s Tight Ends Coach
February 12, 2020 | Football
CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina football program has named 27-year NFL and college coaching veteran John Lilly tight ends coach, head coach Mack Brown announced on Wednesday. Lilly joins Brown's staff after a year coaching the tight ends for the Cleveland Browns.
"We're thrilled to add a coach with the quality, experience and recruiting acumen that John Lilly possesses," said Brown. "John has recruited and coached some great players during his career and has seen a lot of success throughout his 27 years. In addition to his college experience, he was able to hone his skills in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams and the Browns, and we know that will really pay off for our tight ends and the offense as a whole. John is very familiar with the state of North Carolina, which will allow him to hit the ground running in recruiting. We can't wait for him, his wife Cheryl and their three children, Allison Catherine, Abigail Christine and Caleb Jackson to get to Chapel Hill."
During his year in Cleveland, Lilly's tight ends produced the fourth-most TD receptions in the NFL and his unit was one of only two groups in the league that had four tight ends catch a touchdown pass. Prior to his time in Cleveland, Lilly spent 2018 at the University of Tennessee as the assistant to the head coach following a one-year stint as the Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach. With the Rams, he helped TE Lance Kendricks record a career-high 50 receptions.
"My family and I are really excited about the opportunity to join Coach Brown and the staff at North Carolina," Lilly stated. "I can't think of a better program to walk into right now than the one in Chapel Hill. There's so much energy and enthusiasm surrounding this place and this program, and if everyone continues to work hard together the way they have, there are certainly big things ahead. I've had the chance to see North Carolina up close as a visiting coach and was always impressed with the passion of the fan base and community and the tradition of the program. I'm glad Coach Brown is giving us the chance to join the family. We can't wait to get to Chapel Hill and get started."
Before joining the Rams, Lilly coached tight ends at the University of Georgia from 2008-15. During his eight seasons at UGA, the Bulldogs won 74 games, including five bowl victories and two SEC East titles. Lilly was part of several record-setting seasons: 72 touchdowns in 2012, 484.14 yards per game in 2013 and 41.3 points per game in 2014. He also helped shape future NFL draft picks Orson Charles (fourth round) and Arthur Lynch (fifth round). Charles set the school record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,370. Lilly also served as the Bulldogs' interim offensive coordinator during their bowl games following the 2014 and '15 seasons, calling the plays during a 37-14 win over Louisville in the 2014 Belk Bowl and in a 24-17 victory over Penn State in the 2016 Tax Slayer Bowl.
Lilly also guided Georgia's punt unit, which included Ray Guy Award winner Drew Butler, who led the nation in net punting average (41.95) and was named a consensus All-American in 2009. He also worked with NFL kicker Blair Walsh.
Prior to his time at Georgia, Lilly spent 13 seasons at Florida State. He started as a videographer in 1995 before becoming a graduate assistant in 1996-97 and ultimately the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator from 1998-07. The Seminoles had a tremendous amount of success during Lilly's tenure, including the 1999 National Championship. FSU routinely brought in some of the nation's top recruiting classes with Lilly leading the charge, including a stretch from 2002 to 2007 where each class ranked in the top four in the country. In 2006, he coached Brandon Warren, the first tight end in school history to receive freshman All-America honors and only the third tight end ever at FSU to receive All-America recognition.
Lilly began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Northwest Guilford High School in
Greensboro, N.C. from 1991-94.
As a player, Lilly played quarterback, wide receiver and special teams at Guilford College.
Lilly is married to the former Cheryl Brown, and they have two daughters, Allison Catherine and
Abigail Christine, and one son, Caleb Jackson.
For up-to-date information on Carolina football, visit GoHeels.com/Football and follow us on Twitter (@TarHeelFootball), Instagram (@tarheelfootball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TarHeelFootball).
"We're thrilled to add a coach with the quality, experience and recruiting acumen that John Lilly possesses," said Brown. "John has recruited and coached some great players during his career and has seen a lot of success throughout his 27 years. In addition to his college experience, he was able to hone his skills in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams and the Browns, and we know that will really pay off for our tight ends and the offense as a whole. John is very familiar with the state of North Carolina, which will allow him to hit the ground running in recruiting. We can't wait for him, his wife Cheryl and their three children, Allison Catherine, Abigail Christine and Caleb Jackson to get to Chapel Hill."
During his year in Cleveland, Lilly's tight ends produced the fourth-most TD receptions in the NFL and his unit was one of only two groups in the league that had four tight ends catch a touchdown pass. Prior to his time in Cleveland, Lilly spent 2018 at the University of Tennessee as the assistant to the head coach following a one-year stint as the Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach. With the Rams, he helped TE Lance Kendricks record a career-high 50 receptions.
"My family and I are really excited about the opportunity to join Coach Brown and the staff at North Carolina," Lilly stated. "I can't think of a better program to walk into right now than the one in Chapel Hill. There's so much energy and enthusiasm surrounding this place and this program, and if everyone continues to work hard together the way they have, there are certainly big things ahead. I've had the chance to see North Carolina up close as a visiting coach and was always impressed with the passion of the fan base and community and the tradition of the program. I'm glad Coach Brown is giving us the chance to join the family. We can't wait to get to Chapel Hill and get started."
Before joining the Rams, Lilly coached tight ends at the University of Georgia from 2008-15. During his eight seasons at UGA, the Bulldogs won 74 games, including five bowl victories and two SEC East titles. Lilly was part of several record-setting seasons: 72 touchdowns in 2012, 484.14 yards per game in 2013 and 41.3 points per game in 2014. He also helped shape future NFL draft picks Orson Charles (fourth round) and Arthur Lynch (fifth round). Charles set the school record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,370. Lilly also served as the Bulldogs' interim offensive coordinator during their bowl games following the 2014 and '15 seasons, calling the plays during a 37-14 win over Louisville in the 2014 Belk Bowl and in a 24-17 victory over Penn State in the 2016 Tax Slayer Bowl.
Lilly also guided Georgia's punt unit, which included Ray Guy Award winner Drew Butler, who led the nation in net punting average (41.95) and was named a consensus All-American in 2009. He also worked with NFL kicker Blair Walsh.
Prior to his time at Georgia, Lilly spent 13 seasons at Florida State. He started as a videographer in 1995 before becoming a graduate assistant in 1996-97 and ultimately the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator from 1998-07. The Seminoles had a tremendous amount of success during Lilly's tenure, including the 1999 National Championship. FSU routinely brought in some of the nation's top recruiting classes with Lilly leading the charge, including a stretch from 2002 to 2007 where each class ranked in the top four in the country. In 2006, he coached Brandon Warren, the first tight end in school history to receive freshman All-America honors and only the third tight end ever at FSU to receive All-America recognition.
Lilly began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Northwest Guilford High School in
Greensboro, N.C. from 1991-94.
As a player, Lilly played quarterback, wide receiver and special teams at Guilford College.
Lilly is married to the former Cheryl Brown, and they have two daughters, Allison Catherine and
Abigail Christine, and one son, Caleb Jackson.
For up-to-date information on Carolina football, visit GoHeels.com/Football and follow us on Twitter (@TarHeelFootball), Instagram (@tarheelfootball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TarHeelFootball).
Hubert Davis Post-Georgetown Press Conference
Monday, December 08
Carolina Insider: Rapid Reactions – Men’s Basketball vs. Georgetown – December 7, 2025
Monday, December 08
UNC Men's Basketball: Wilson & Veesaar Lead 81-61 Win Over Hoyas
Monday, December 08
UNC Women's Basketball: Tar Heels Take Down Terriers, 82-40
Sunday, December 07