Eric Chilson enters his third year as associate head coach and seventh year overall with the USF Track & Field team. He serves as the men’s and women’s sprints, hurdles, combined events, and strength and conditioning coach. Chilson also took on the role of the Cross Country Head Coach in 2024 making this his second season.
In the 2024 Cross Country season, Chilson led the men to a 5th place finish and the women to a 6th place finish at the NSIC Championship. Under Coach Chilson, four Cougar athletes were represented on the All-Conference Teams. In the classroom, 11 student-athletes were named to the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence while 12 were named to the NSIC All-Academic Team.
Chilson joined USF after spending the 2016-18 seasons coaching at Southwest Minnesota State. During his time with the Mustangs' sprinters and hurdlers, Chilson helped record 10 school records and 21 All-NSIC performances.
In the fall of 2015, Chilson coached indoor track at BHSU where he worked with sprinters and hurdlers. He also coached outdoor track at Spearfish High School in spring of 2016 and helped the team to a school record in the 4 x 400 (3:22.07) as well as placing third at the South Dakota State Track Meet.
Prior to his coaching career, Chilson was a four-year letter winner at Black Hills State, where he competed in both hurdles and sprints. A two-time conference All-Academic honoree, he was also a two-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) placer in the 110-meter hurdles in 2014 and 2015.
Originally from Highmore South Dakota, he is a 2015 graduate of BHSU with a degree in exercise science. Chilson obtained his master’s from Southwest Minnesota State University in the spring 2018.
USF Records and Accomplishments
- - 5 NCAA All-Americans
- - 90 NCAA Provisional Qualifying Marks
- - 64 NSIC Podium Finishes
- - 35 School Records
- - 80 Women’s Top 10 Additions
- - 61 Men’s Top 10 Additions
Professional Development Certifications
- - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through NSCA
- - USTFCCCA Technical Certification
- - USTFCCCA Test and Measures Master's Endorsement
- - USTFCCCA Weight Training Master's Endorsement
- - USTFCCCA Combined Event Specialist
Updated: 6/2025
