Chris Hilliker played quarterback at Hillcrest High School. He was selected honorable mention All-State as a senior. He earned a Bachelors degree for Livingston University (UWA) in 1993. He was All GSC Football in 1990, 1991. Also played baseball and played in the Division II College World Series in 1992.

Hilliker started coaching at Hillcrest in 1993. He served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Hillcrest High before becoming the head coach at Hale County High School in 2004. He remained at Hale County for 7 years compiling a record of 40-35.

In 2011 Hilliker accepted the head coaching job at Paul W. Bryant High School. The Stampede were 6-5 that season and made the playoffs for only the second time in school history.

Hilliker then took the head coaching job at Northside High School in 2012. He led each team to winning seasons. His 2012 team finished 6-5 and was the first winning season since 1994 at Northside. His teams have made the playoffs every year that he has been the head coach. His 2019 team finished 11-2 making it to the Class 4A quarterfinals. This was the first time in school history that Northside High won any playoff games.

Hillikers overall coaching record is 127-73 in 18 years as a head coach. His teams have made the playoffs in 16 of his 18 years as a head coach.