Prior to his arrival in Baileyton, Tilson coach the linebackers at Unicoi County High School. Tilson brought a collegiate level linebacker read system to Erwin and the linebacker group saw tremendous success in two season as every starter was named All Region 1-3A, including MLB Isaiah Smith. Smith was named the Region Defensive Player of the year recording 106 tackles / 2 sacks / 2 forced fumbles. Tilson was responsible for creating game plans that shut out Unicoi's two biggest rivals in 2019 after giving up 60 points the year before (Happy Valley & Johnson County). Unicoi had not beaten both of these rivals in the same season in over 15 years. 

From the 2016-2018 seasons, Tilson served as the Recruiting Coordinator & Defensive Line Coach at Emory & Henry College. Tilson played an important part in the success of the front seven in thetwo seasons under his guidance. Having to replace four starters from the season prior to his arrival, Tilson’s unit finished with 228 tackles for loss / 58 sacks in during this time. The 2016 season had EHC DE - Da’von Keith earn a 1st Team All-ODAC honor, D3 Football All-Region honor, and finished 3rd/6th in the country in Tackles for Loss and Sacks respectively. Keith earned a Pre-Season All-American Nod going into the 2017 Season. In the 2017 season, two members of the EHC defensive line unit were named to the All-ODAC team. Josh Fleenor finished the year with 13.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 interception for a touchdown; in route to his 1st Team All-ODAC and D3 Football All-Region Selection. While Keith earned back to back All-ODAC honors. The 2018 season proved to be another successful season up front. 2017 1st Team All-ODAC member Josh Fleenor earned D3Football.com Pre-Season All-American honors, while fellow Senior defensive lineman Levi Peters earned All-ODAC honors. Tilson’s punt unit also proved to be successful during his time. The unit improved from year to year in return yards allowed and average return yards per punt. The 2017 squad became one of the top punt units in the country finishing 15th in the DIII in net punting average (37.8 yds) and 3rd in total return yards (2 yards / 0.3 avg.). This allowing punter, Garrett Morgan, to earn a 2nd Team All-ODAC selection.

Tilson coached three seasons with North Park University as the defensive line and strength & conditioning coordinator. Coach Tilson held a important role in the Viking’s defensive success this past season. Moving from the offensive side of the football, Tilson was able to provide valuable insight into the opponent’s offensive blocking schemes and pass protection. This insight led to improvements in multiple defensive statistical categories: Tackles for loss, sacks, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries.

 Tilson also guided the punt unit for the North Park Vikings. Under his tutelage, the Vikings moved into the second best net punting unit dropping the average yards per return from 7.8 ypr in 2014 to 2.8 ypr in 2015.

Tilson began his coaching career in 2011 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Emory & Henry College. While helping with the offensive line, the offensive front allowed only 7 sacks on over 450 attempts. In 2012 he was named a player coach for the AFC (American Football Club) Paderborn Dolphins (Paderborn, Germany), where he coached the offensive line and was the co-offensive coordinator. The Dolphins line allowed only three sacks in over 500 attempts while the rushing game improved to over 150 yards per game. In the summer of 2014, Coach Tilson went to Denmark to become the offensive coordinator for the AFC Horsens Stallions while setting up an exchange program between North Park University and VIA University Horsens. The offense under Coach Tilson succeeded throughout the summer. The Stallions improved every game in points scored, rushing yardage, & total yards while posted a 2-1 record. The Stallions advanced from the second league to the first division in the 2014 season.

While working with the Viking Offense as the offensive line and running backs coach, the Viking Offense improved in almost all offensive categories from the prior season; Points per game improved by over 10 PPG, Rushing yards per game by 16 yards, & Total touchdowns by 19 touchdowns.

A native from Greeneville, Tennessee. Tilson graduated from Greeneville High School. 

In 2011, he received his Master of Education and a B.S. in Physical Education from Emory & Henry College.