AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football program is pleased to announce the addition of two new coaches to the staff, effective immediately. Willie Tillman has been named the program's linebackers coach and Director of Football Operations, while Matt Millhouse has been named the Gyrenes' new secondary coach.

"These two additions to the defensive staff come with great experience," said head coach Joe Patterson. "Both coaches meshed particularly well with our existing coaches during the interview process, and we're excited to get to work on the 2023 season."

Coach Tillman comes to Ave Maria following two seasons as the head coach at Trinity International University, an NAIA program in Illinois. He has spent nearly 25 years in coaching, with experience at nearly every level of football from high school to the NFL. His college stops have included time at Purdue University, Maine Maritime Academy, Anderson University, Bethel University, Florida A&M University, Murray State University, Florida Institute of Technology, and Valdosta State University. Tillman played his college football at Purdue from 1994-1997.

"My family and I are blessed and excited to be part of the Ave Maria community, university, and coaching staff," said Tillman.  "I am happy to be back in my home state continuing my career at this faith-based institution. I am eager to work and recruit for such a special place."

Tillman has had success as a high school coach in Florida, serving as the head coach at Westminster Academy and the associate head coach at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, where he helped the Spartans to several deep playoff runs.

Coach Millhouse brings a championship pedigree to the Gyrene football offices, joining the AMU program from the University of Saint Francis in Indiana. In his eight seasons at USF, Millhouse and the Cougars went to the NAIA Semifinals on four occasions, and won the national championship in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons. During his time at Saint Francis, Millhouse spent seven seasons at the secondary coach and coverage coordinator, and he took on the role of co-defensive coordinator for the 2022 season. His journey to Ave Maria was sparked by a belief in the University's culture.

"The Lord has a plan for everyone," said Millhouse. "Hold firm in your faith, and the journey will be joyful."

Millhouse is also an accomplished coach at the high school level, winning five state championships in seven seasons as the defensive coordinator at Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a stretch that included four consecutive titles from 2009 to 2012. Millhouse's defenses included multiple players that went on to play college football, led by current New York Giant Jaylon Smith, who is currently in his eighth season in the NFL. As a player at Bishop Luers, Millhouse played in three state title games before enrolling at St. Francis, where he won four conference titles and participated in three national title games.

The Ave Maria football program is coming off a 6-3 season, which is cause for great optimism within the program, especially with many underclassmen, including numerous All-Conference selections on both sides of the football, as part of the returning nucleus.