John Tillman brings international experience to the Wingate University XCTF staff as the sprints and hurdles coach. The Union County native competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as a triple jumper. He finished third in his signature event at the USA Nationals on two occasions. Tillman earned All-America honors six times in his University of Tennessee career, garnering top-five triple jump placement in both the 1986 and 1987 NCAA national championships. He finished second at NCAAs in 1985. Tillman was a was a six-time Southeastern Conference Champion and set the school recort at UT that stood for three decades until 2021.
For the last eight years, Tillman has served as a private track and field coach with Quantum Leap Sports & Fitness. He has spent time as an assistant coach at Union Academy (one year) and Anson (three years). Tillman gave back to his alma mater, filling the head coaching role at Parkwood for two years. Tillman earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing at the University of Tennessee in 1987. He added an MBA in entrepreneurial studies while serving as graduate assistant coach at the University of Texas at Austin in 1990.
John Tillman quick facts
B.S., marketing (Tennessee ’87)
MBA, entrepreneurial studies (Texas ’90)
- Level 1 certification from USA Track and Field (general training)
- Private track and field coach for eight years (Quantum Leap Sports & Fitness)
- Mentored 10 clients to state T&F championships in 2023-24 alone
- All total, 31 Tillman-coached athletes have won state championships
- Events cover sprints, relays, long jump and triple jump
- Six years as T&F coach at Union Academy, Anson and Parkwood
- Coached two jumpers to state titles while an assistant coach at UA Charter
- Business and marketing instructor at the three aforementioned schools
- Graduate assistant T&F coach at the University of Texas at Austin
