Photo Gallery From Friday Press Conference (by
Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois football is bringing one of its own back home as Panthers Athletic Director
Tom Michael has announced the hiring of
Chris Wilkerson as the 26h head coach in EIU football history.
Wilkerson played for the Panthers from 1991-94 earning his degree from EIU in 1995. He began his coaching career on the staff of Bob Spoo working with the Panthers from 1995-2001. He led the special teams unit all seven years and also had stints as defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and defensive line coach. The Panthers reached the NCAA FCS playoffs four times and won a pair of conference championships during his tenure. Wilkerson's defenses and special teams were regularly ranked in the national top 20 in numerous categories.
Wilkerson comes to EIU after a successful run as the head coach at the University of Chicago where he has posted winning seasons in seven of his eight seasons including an 8-2 record this past season with an offense that featured the leading rusher in Division III football. He has a 51-27 record in nine seasons as the UChicago head coach with the team not competing during the 2020 season due to COVID-19.
"I'm excited to welcome
Chris Wilkerson back home as the next head football coach at Eastern Illinois," said Michael. "The passion with which Chris played the game as a Panther, the passion with which he speaks about EIU, show what a truly special place EIU is. He brings with him a proven track record of building a program with success on both sides of the football. I have no doubt that Chris will bring that same passion back to this program on the field when the Panthers suit up this fall."
"My family and I are extremely humbled and honored to be coming home to Eastern Illinois University and look forward to leading our football family into the future! This opportunity is something I have dreamed about since 1995. I understand the passion, and pride the EIU Football family has for our program. We understand the accomplishments of our football alumni as well as the storied tradition of Panther Football. Our staff will work tirelessly, thoughtfully and with passion to help our collegiate athletes reach their fullest potential," said Wilkerson. "Eastern Illinois University represents excellence in academics and athletics but most importantly excellent PEOPLE! I want to thank President Glassman, Joe Dively, Athletic Director
Tom Michael, Deputy Athletic Director
Mark Bonnstetter, Tony Romo and all those involved in the search process for this amazing opportunity and a chance to come HOME! I look forward to building relationships with our current players and reconnecting those Panther Football Alumni and together resurrecting our proud Football Tradition."
"Chris was on Coach Spoo's staff when I was a student-athlete. I thought very highly of him at that time and have followed his coaching career,"
said former EIU All-American quarterback and recent College Football Hall of Fame inductee Tony Romo. "He has the football knowledge on both sides of the ball that will enable the EIU program to be successful. He is the right person to lead our program and I'm excited to have him back home as our next head football coach."
"I am thrilled to learn of
Chris Wilkerson being hired as head football coach at Eastern Illinois University. There is not anyone who has more invested in Panther football than Chris – having been a player; graduate assistant; full-time assistant; and defensive coordinator for the Panthers, Chris not only has an unparalleled knowledge of what it takes to be successful at EIU, his love and loyalty for Eastern athletics is real and authentic. Simply put,
Chris Wilkerson is the right guy, with the right skill set, at the right time to lead Panther football. Chris, his wife Sharna and family will be wonderful representatives of Eastern Illinois University and Panther athletics as the "first family" of Panther football,"
said former EIU offensive coordinator and current Syracuse football Director of Player Personnel, Roy Wittke.
His teams have excelled on the field and in the class room at UChicago since Wilkerson took over the program in 2013. His first season the Maroons posted a 6-4 record including the second 4-0 start to a season in the program's modern era. He has guided the school through three different conference affiliations with a 39-15 record in conference play. In all Wilkerson has coached three Division III All-Americans, five Academic All-Americans, nine All-Region selections, four Conference Players of the Year and 94 All-Conference selections during his time at UChicago.
Prior to his arrival at UChicago, he previously served on Dartmouth College's coaching staff from 2005-13 and was named Associate Head Coach in 2007. During his tenure at Dartmouth, Wilkerson's broad range of responsibilities included defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, running backs coach, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. The team was ranked in the top 10 nationally in a number of categories, including punt return average, blocked kicks, individual rushing average and fewest fumbles lost. His pass defense ranked 14th in the country in his debut season.
Wilkerson coached the defense and special teams at San Jose State University from 2002-04. In 2003, he was a nominee for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant coach.
Wilkerson and his wife, Sharna (a former EIU softball player), have three children – Isabella, Peyton and Charlotte.
