Bio

Coach Charles Tiller brings over 20 years of coaching experience to Shelton State Community College, where he leads the Buccaneers’ men’s and women’s cross country programs. Prior to joining Shelton State, Tiller served as the head coach at American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa, where he established one of Alabama’s most successful high school programs in cross country and track & field. During his tenure at ACA, he became the 7th winningest coach in Alabama high school history, leading teams to 30 state championships and coaching over 125 individual and relay state champions. He is a five-time Alabama Coach of the Year and coached Kaitlyn York, the 2014 Alabama Gatorade Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

In 2024, the Shelton State women’s cross country team earned a Top 10 national finish, and the men’s team received votes in the NJCAA Coaches Poll, reflecting their growing competitiveness. Miriam Dominguez-Tellez won the ACCC Conference Championship and, along with teammate Rita Walker, earned NJCAA Coaches Association All-American honors. Dominguez-Tellez and Brannon Lugo each set new school records, and both she and Walker will continue their collegiate careers on athletic scholarships at the University of West Alabama. Multiple student-athletes were recognized with USTFCCCA All-Academic Awards, and the men’s team posted a 3.35 GPA during the 2024–25 academic year.

In 2023, the women’s team placed second in the Alabama Community College Conference and 15th at the NJCAA Division II National Championships, while several individual athletes earned academic and competitive honors.

Coach Tiller holds advanced coaching certifications from USA Track & Field and the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama. He and his wife, Debbie, are the proud parents of two adult children, Elizabeth and Eric.