John Gilliam, a former Morehead State linebacker, is in his 19th season on the Eagle football coaching staff.  In addition to working directly with the linebackers, he serves as associate head coach and defensive coordinator.

In 18 previous campaigns, Gilliam has been on the staff for four Pioneer Football League South Division championships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005).  He also helped the Eagles to a school-record nine wins on two occasions (1998, 2002).

Gilliam has mentored 56 all-league honorees at MSU, including 54 in 11 years of the PFL.  The Eagles have also had 12 all-america selections on defense during his watch, including a three-year stretch in the early 2000s with seven national award recipients.

Gilliam earned four letters in football at Morehead State from 1983-86, when Head Coach Matt Ballard was the program's assistant head coach.  He then served as a student assistant coach for the Eagles in 1987.

Gilliam joined Ballard's coaching staff at Union College (Ky.) in 1988.  The duo spent six seasons together before returning to MSU in 1994.

The native of Prestonsburg, Ky., Gilliam earned a bachelor's degree from MSU in 1987 and master's degree from Union in 1990.

He has a daughter, Caitlin, and two sons, Austin and Mason.