Eric Chilson enters his third season as the head coach of the University of Sioux Falls men's and women's cross country and track & field programs in 2026 and his seventh year overall with Cougar Athletics. Prior to being elevated to head coach in 2023, Chilson spent four seasons as an assistant and associate head coach while overseeing the men's and women's sprinters, hurdlers, combined events, and strength and conditioning programs.
Under Chilson's leadership, the Cougars have continued to make significant strides both competitively and academically. Since taking over the programs in 2023, USF has produced three NCAA All-Americans, more than 30 NSIC All-Conference performances, an NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year recipient, an NSIC Elite 18 Award winner, numerous NCAA provisional qualifying marks, and several school records. His student-athletes have also earned multiple NSIC Athlete of the Week honors and continued the program's tradition of excellence in the classroom with hundreds of academic recognitions.
During the 2025-26 season, Chilson guided the track and field programs to one of their strongest years in recent history. Tamia Horton earned NCAA All-America honors in the 60 meters and was named the NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year after winning the conference championship in the 100 meters. Horton also rewrote the USF record book by setting new school records in both the indoor 60 meters and outdoor 100 meters. Jonny Cheney garnered NCAA All-America recognition in the heptathlon and added All-Conference finishes in both the heptathlon and decathlon. Andrew Edwards captured an NSIC title in the weight throw and earned multiple Athlete of the Week honors after breaking the school record in the event. The men's 4x400-meter relay team of Holien, Hyronimus, Stark, and Cheney also earned All-Conference honors and established a new school record. Academically, the Cougars continued to excel, producing dozens of NSIC All-Academic honorees, Team of Excellence selections, and Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction recipients.
During the 2025 cross country season, Chilson led the men to a seventh-place finish and the women to an eighth-place finish at the NSIC Championships before both teams concluded their seasons at the NCAA Central Region Championships. The Cougars also continued their academic success with numerous NSIC All-Academic and Team of Excellence selections, while Parker Hahn earned NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction recognition.
In 2024-25, Chilson's programs produced two NCAA All-Americans in Emily Swanson and Tyler Hiatt while generating 22 NSIC All-Conference performances across cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. The men's cross country team placed fifth and the women's team finished sixth at the NSIC Championships, highlighted by First Team All-Conference honors for Micade Shumway and Second Team honors for Maddie Swanson and Ben Morrison. In the classroom, the Cougars continued their tradition of academic excellence, earning numerous D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards, NSIC All-Academic honors, CorTrust Scholar-Athlete recognitions, and Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction awards.
In his first season as head coach in 2023-24, Chilson led the men to a fifth-place finish and the women to a sixth-place finish at the NSIC Cross Country Championships. Four Cougar runners earned All-Conference recognition, led by First Team performer Khot Juac. On the track, the Cougars accumulated 17 NSIC All-Conference performances, established several school records, and NCAA provisional marks from multiple student-athletes. The programs also maintained their strong academic standing with dozens of NSIC All-Academic and Team of Excellence selections.
Chilson joined USF after spending the 2016-18 seasons at Southwest Minnesota State, where he coached sprinters and hurdlers and helped produce 10 school records and 21 All-NSIC performances.
In the fall of 2015, Chilson coached indoor track and field at Black Hills State, working with sprinters and hurdlers. He also coached outdoor track at Spearfish High School in the spring of 2016 and helped the Spartans establish a school record in the 4x400-meter relay while finishing third at the South Dakota State Track Meet.
Prior to his coaching career, Chilson was a four-year letterwinner at Black Hills State University, competing in both hurdles and sprints. He was a two-time conference All-Academic honoree and a two-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference placer in the 110-meter hurdles.
Originally from Highmore, South Dakota, Chilson earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Black Hills State in 2015 and completed his master's degree from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2018.
Professional Development Certifications
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA)
- USTFCCCA Technical Certification
- USTFCCCA Test and Measures Master's Endorsement
- USTFCCCA Weight Training Master's Endorsement
- USTFCCCA Combined Event Specialist
USF Records and Accomplishments
- 3 NCAA All-Americans as head coach
- 30+ NSIC All-Conference performances as head coach
- 1 NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year
- 1 NSIC Elite 18 Award recipient
- Numerous NCAA provisional qualifying marks
- Multiple school records across cross country and track & field
- Hundreds of NSIC All-Academic and Team of Excellence selections
- Multiple Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction honorees
- Multiple D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recipients
- Numerous NSIC and USF Athlete of the Week selections
Updated 6/17/2026
