Football
Lilly, John
John Lilly
- Title:
- Tight Ends Coach
- Phone:
- 919-966-2575
John Lilly, a 30-year coaching veteran, joined the North Carolina football staff as tight ends coach on Feb. 12, 2020. Lilly joined Mack Brown’s staff after coaching tight ends for the Cleveland Browns in 2019. 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.
During the 2022 season, Lilly led a tight-end room that saw its production increase yet again from the previous season, helping UNC’s offense rank 11th nationally in passing offense (309.3 ypg) and 26th nationally in scoring offense (34.4 ppg). The tight ends as a group caught 79 passes for 1,087 yards and eight TDs. The 79 receptions were the fourth most by a tight end room in the Power 5 and led the ACC. The 1,087 yards ranked third in the Power 5 and first in the league, while the eight TDs were ninth in the Power 5 and second in the ACC. The group also tallied 31 explosive receptions, which ranked third in the Power 5 and first in the league. Bryson Nesbit led the group in receptions (35) and yards (507) to earn honorable mention All-ACC honors. His four TDs tied with Kamari Morales, who posted 29 catches for 358 yards. John Copenhaver averaged 14.8 yards per reception after catching 15 passes for 222 yards.
In his second season, Lilly’s tight-end unit helped UNC rank 10th nationally and third in the ACC in total offense (468.2 ypg), 19th nationally and third in the ACC in scoring offense (35.2 ppg), and 17th nationally and first in the ACC in rushing yards (2,763). The group also had a larger influence on the passing offense with Morales and Garrett Walston combining to catch 42 passes for 404 yards and seven TDs. In addition, then-true freshman Nesbit added seven receptions for 154 yards for a 22 yard-per-reception average.
In his first year at Carolina, Lilly’s tight ends contributed to an offense that averaged 537.2 yards per game and 41.7 points per game, both UNC records. The group combined to catch 22 passes for 274 yards and three TDs in a passing offense that averaged 301.4 yards per game (18th NCAA/2nd ACC). The tight ends also played a huge role in a run game that averaged 235.8 yards per game (11th NCAA/2nd ACC). Walston led the group with career highs of 19 catches for 255 yards (13.4 ypc) and two TDs.
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.
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.
Birthdate: June 21, 1968
Hometown: Beckley, W.Va.
Wife: Cheryl
Children: daughters, Allison Catherine and Abigail Christine, and son, Caleb Jackson
Education
College: Guilford College ‘90
During the 2022 season, Lilly led a tight-end room that saw its production increase yet again from the previous season, helping UNC’s offense rank 11th nationally in passing offense (309.3 ypg) and 26th nationally in scoring offense (34.4 ppg). The tight ends as a group caught 79 passes for 1,087 yards and eight TDs. The 79 receptions were the fourth most by a tight end room in the Power 5 and led the ACC. The 1,087 yards ranked third in the Power 5 and first in the league, while the eight TDs were ninth in the Power 5 and second in the ACC. The group also tallied 31 explosive receptions, which ranked third in the Power 5 and first in the league. Bryson Nesbit led the group in receptions (35) and yards (507) to earn honorable mention All-ACC honors. His four TDs tied with Kamari Morales, who posted 29 catches for 358 yards. John Copenhaver averaged 14.8 yards per reception after catching 15 passes for 222 yards.
In his second season, Lilly’s tight-end unit helped UNC rank 10th nationally and third in the ACC in total offense (468.2 ypg), 19th nationally and third in the ACC in scoring offense (35.2 ppg), and 17th nationally and first in the ACC in rushing yards (2,763). The group also had a larger influence on the passing offense with Morales and Garrett Walston combining to catch 42 passes for 404 yards and seven TDs. In addition, then-true freshman Nesbit added seven receptions for 154 yards for a 22 yard-per-reception average.
In his first year at Carolina, Lilly’s tight ends contributed to an offense that averaged 537.2 yards per game and 41.7 points per game, both UNC records. The group combined to catch 22 passes for 274 yards and three TDs in a passing offense that averaged 301.4 yards per game (18th NCAA/2nd ACC). The tight ends also played a huge role in a run game that averaged 235.8 yards per game (11th NCAA/2nd ACC). Walston led the group with career highs of 19 catches for 255 yards (13.4 ypc) and two TDs.
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.
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.
The Lilly File
PersonalBirthdate: June 21, 1968
Hometown: Beckley, W.Va.
Wife: Cheryl
Children: daughters, Allison Catherine and Abigail Christine, and son, Caleb Jackson
Education
College: Guilford College ‘90
Lilly Coaching History
| Years | School | Title |
| 2023 | North Carolina | Run Game Coordinator/Tight Ends |
| 2020-22 | North Carolina | Tight Ends |
| 2019 | Cleveland Browns | Tight Ends |
| 2018 | University of Tennessee | Assistant to the Head Coach |
| 2016 | Los Angeles Rams | Tight Ends |
| 2014-15 | Georgia | Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends |
| 2008-13 | Georgia | Tight Ends |
| 1998-2007 | Florida St. | Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 1996-97 | Florida St. | Graduate Assistant |
| 1995 | Florida St. | Videographer |
| 1991-94 | Northwest Guilford HS | Assistant Coach |
Postseason Experience As a Coach
| Years | School | Bowl |
| 2022 | North Carolina | Holiday Bowl |
| 2021 | North Carolina | Duke's Mayo Bowl |
| 2020 | North Carolina | Orange Bowl |
| 2015 | Georgia | Tax Slayer Bowl |
| 2014 | Georgia | Belk Bowl |
| 2013 | Georgia | Gator Bowl |
| 2012 | Georgia | Capital One Bowl |
| 2011 | Georgia | Outback Bowl |
| 2010 | Georgia | Liberty Bowl |
| 2009 | Georgia | Independence Bowl |
| 2008 | Georgia | Capital One Bowl |
| 2007 | Florida St. | Music City Bowl |
| 2006 | Florida St. | Emerald Bowl |
| 2005 | Florida St. | Orange Bowl |
| 2004 | Florida St. | Gator Bowl |
| 2003 | Florida St. | Orange Bowl |
| 2002 | Florida St. | Sugar Bowl |
| 2001 | Florida St. | Gator Bowl |
| 2000 | Florida St. | BCS National Championship/Orange Bowl |
| 1999 | Florida St. | BCS National Championship/Sugar Bowl |
| 1998 | Florida St. | BCS National Championship/Fiesta Bowl |
| 1997 | Florida St. | Sugar Bowl |
| 1996 | Florida St. | National Championship/Sugar Bowl |
| 1995 | Florida St. | Orange Bowl |
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