Stetson University head football coach Roger Hughes continues to criss-cross the nation in his efforts to recruit for the fledgling Hatters football program.

In addition to his search for players, Hughes is also working to put together his coaching staff. That effort took a step forward on Monday when Terry Tilghman was named to the staff. Tilghman will coach the Hatters’ offensive linemen.

“We are really pleased to have Terry on our staff,” Hughes said. “He has a wealth of experience, has coached at a number of Division I schools and also played Division I football. He has outstanding knowledge of the schemes we will look to run offensively and he has a reputation as an outstanding recruiter.”

Tilghman joins the Stetson staff which now includes three full time assistants. In addition to Tilghman, Hughes’ previous staff appointments include defensive coach Brian Young and Director of Football Operations Nolan Behrns.

“I am so excited to be here at Stetson and to help Roger get the Stetson football program off the ground,” Tilghman said. “Having an opportunity to help build something from the ground up was very attractive to me.”

Tilghman said his philosophy as an offensive coach is to take what the defense gives.

“You have to be able to run the football and win the first downs,” Tilghman said. “If you can’t run the football and get first downs, then you aren’t going to be able to throw the football successfully. I am a teacher of the run game and that is what my focus will be on.”

Tilghman comes to Stetson after serving for five seasons as offensive line coach at Kent State University in Ohio where he worked for head coach Doug Martin. Before his stint at Kent State, Tilghman spent three seasons as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of North Alabama.

A native of Mesquite, Texas, Tilghman played collegiately at East Carolina University where he was named to the All-South Independent team in 1994 while also garnering Outstanding Senior honors. He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 1995 and stayed there as an assistant coach through the 2002 season.

In Tilghman’s first season at Kent State, the Golden Flashes improved from the bottom of the Mid-American Conference in rushing offense in 2005 to third in 2006. The Golden Flashes had the league’s second-best rushing team in 2007 and was first in the MAC, and 11th nationally, in 2008.

At KSU, tackle Augustus Parrish was a two-time second-team All-MAC selection and center Chris Anzevino was named to the 2010 Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List.

During his time at UNA, where he coached for current Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Mark Hudspeth, he helped mentor the Lions’ record-setting offense. In 2005 UNA broke 26 school records while averaging more than 411 yards and 36 points per game. In his first season at UNA he helped UNA produce three all-conference linemen while the Lions offense set 31 school records.

During his tenure as an assistant at ECU, where he coached for Steve Logan, he served at various times as offensive line coach, tight ends coach, recruiting coordinator and director of football operations. He helped to send five players on to the National Football League and was a part of three bowl teams.

Tilghman received his degree in exercise/sports science from East Carolina in 1995. He and his wife, Jennifer, also a native of Mesquite, Texas, have two sons, Terry II (21) and Jacob (15), and a daughter, Jordan (18). Terry II is a sophomore at the United States Air Force Academy and Jordan plans to enroll at Stetson in January.