Aaron Hillman has been hired as the new director of player development for the Iowa State football program, the university announced Monday. 

Hillman comes to the Cyclones from the University of Illinois, where he was the head strength and conditioning coach from 2012 to 2015.

He has over 20 years of experience coach in college athletics and was named a “master strength and conditioning coach” in 2013 by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, the highest honor in the profession.

“[Hillman] brings a wealth of knowledge both from the world of strength and conditioning and the development of the student athletes mentally, physically and emotionally,” coach Matt Campbell said in a statement. “I think [Hillman] is one of the great leaders that I’ve been around. To get a guy with so much knowledge and experience on our staff will be a huge asset.”

Hillman’s experience includes 18 years as the head strength and conditioning coach at Bowling Green, where he oversaw all 18 sports. After Bowling Green, he spent time at Michigan before moving onto Illinois.

Hillman, originally from St. Louis, has also spent time coaching at Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Connecticut and Ball State.

He will replace former director of player development Doug Phillips, who went to Cincinnati earlier this offseason.