Eric Tillman

Eric Tillman (born July 24, 1957) is an American-born Canadian football executive who was general manager of the BC Lions (1993–94), Toronto Argonauts (1997, 1999), Ottawa Renegades (2002–04), Edmonton Eskimos (2010–2012), and Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2016–2018). As a general manager, Tillman has won the Grey Cup three times (1994, 1997, and 2007).

BC Lions From 1993 to 1995, Tillman was the general manager of the BC Lions. Tillman took over a team that went 3–15 in 1992. Under Tillman, the Lions posted a 31–22–1 record and upset the Baltimore Stallions in the 82nd Grey Cup. The Lions success came in spite of regular fighting between head coach Dave Ritchie and owner Bill Comrie and a lack of team harmony.

Toronto Argonauts In November 1995, the World League of American Football named Tillman its director of football operations. Tillman, however preferred overseeing a single team so in 1997 he returned to the CFL as general manager of the Toronto Argonauts. That year, the Argonauts won the Grey Cup. However, Tillman and head coach Don Matthews had a tumultuous relationship. On March 1, 1998, Tillman officially departed the Argonauts. He then joined TSN as a football analyst. In 1999, Matthews left the Argonauts to become head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos and, after Wally Buono turned down an offer to become head coach and general manager, the Argos asked Tillman to return as GM. After his dismissal, Tillman returned to TSN.

Ottawa Renegades On October 23, 2001, Tillman was named the first general manager of the expansion Ottawa Renegades. Ottawa won four games their inaugural season and seven games the following year. In 2004, the Renegades gave head coach Joe Paopao the title of director of football operations. Although Tillman was still technically general manager, Paopao was effectively general manager.

After leaving Ottawa, Tillman served as an analyst for the CBC and Rogers Sportsnet.

Saskatchewan Roughriders Part way through the 2006 CFL season, Tillman was hired as the Roughriders general manager after they fired long time GM Roy Shivers. In 2007, the Roughriders won their third ever Grey Cup. Among the key signings made by Tillman were head coach Kent Austin, defensive end Stevie Baggs, receivers Weston Dressler and Rob Bagg, defensive back Omarr Morgan, and running back Corey Holmes. He also acquired many key players who would be part of the Roughriders 2013 championship season, including Darian Durant, Chris Getzlaf, and John Chick. In July 2008, Tillman was given a contract extension through 2010.

On August 6, 2008, Tillman was sent home from a team board meeting because he was acting strangely. After he arrived home, Tillman put his hands on the hips of his children's sixteen-year-old babysitter. Tillman's attorney would state that Tillman was not thinking clearly because he had taken a double dose of sleep aids and pain medication for a sore back and that he did not remember what happened. He was placed on paid administrative leave by the Roughriders on February 2, 2009.

Tillman pleaded guilty to the charge on January 4, 2010, the day his trial on this summary offence was to begin. He was granted an absolute discharge the following day and subsequently received no criminal record but was fined $50.00. Judge Murray Hinds stated that Tillman was "genuinely remorseful [and] in this case there's no suggestion that Mr. Tillman is not generally of good character. He has no prior criminal record. His behaviour towards [the teenage girl] on Aug. 6 appears to be an aberration fuelled by his consumption of two non-prescription drugs." On January 8, 2010, he resigned from his position as the Roughriders' general manager.

Edmonton Eskimos On September 14, 2010, Tillman was hired as general manager of the Edmonton Eskimos. He took over an Eskimos team that had a league-worst 2-8 record. Tillman stated that his primary goal would be improving the team's Canadian players. According to Eskimos president Rick LeLacheur, the team received a "substantial" number of phone calls from fans opposed to hiring Tillman, however, the Eskimos organization had deemed him worthy of a second chance. After Tillman's hiring, the Eskimos won five out of its eight remaining games and finished out of the playoffs by only two points.

In 2012, the Eskimos finished fourth in West, with a 7–11 record. The team struggled offensively throughout the season and started three quarterbacks Jyles, Kerry Joseph, and Matt Nichols. Edmonton lost its final three games but was able to make the playoffs due to the crossover rule. On November 3, 2012, eight days before the Eskimos playoff game against the Toronto Argonauts, Eskimos president Len Rhodes announced that Tillman had been fired.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats Two months after his dismissal, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats hired Tillman as a consultant. His position was described by head coach/general manager Kent Austin as being a "sounding board" for Austin. The Ticats announced on January 3, 2019, that Tillman would not be returning as general manager. He had a 21–33 record with Hamilton as GM.

Atlantic Schooners After Tillman's contract with the Tiger-Cats expired in December 2018 he elected to leave the team and join Schooners Sports and Entertainment, a group seeking a CFL expansion team, as vice president of football operations. On March 15, 2023, TSN reporter Dave Naylor revealed that Schooner Sports and Entertainment (SSE) "is no longer involved in pursuing a team for Atlantic Canada".

CFL GM record Team Year Regular season PostseasonWonLostTiesWin %Finish Won Lost ResultBC19931080.556 4th in West Division 0 1 Lost in West Semi-FinalBC19941161.611 3rd in West Division 3 0 Won 82nd Grey CupBC19951080.556 3rd in North Division 0 1 Lost in North Semi-FinalTOR19971530.8331st in East Division 2 0 Won 85th Grey CupTOR1999990.500 3rd in East Division 0 1 Lost in East Semi-FinalOTT20024140.222 4th in East Division - - Missed playoffs OTT20037110.389 3rd in East Division - - Missed playoffs SSK2006540.556 3rd in West Division 1 1 Lost in West FinalSSK20071260.667 2nd in West Division 3 0 Won 95th Grey CupSSK20081260.667 2nd in West Division 0 1 Lost in West Semi-FinalSSK20091071.5561st in West Division 1 1 Lost in 97th Grey CupEDM2010530.625 4th in West Division - - Missed playoffs EDM20111170.611 2nd in West Division 1 1 Lost in West FinalEDM20127110.389 4th in West Division - - Fired During PlayoffsHAM20167110.389 2nd in East Division 0 1 Lost in East Semi-FinalHAM20176120 .333 3rd in East Division - - Missed playoffsHAM20188100 .444 2nd in East Division 1 1 Lost in East FinalTotal1491362 .523 2 DivisionChampionships 12 9 3 Grey Cups