After retiring from football he made the transition to managing, and coached the Windsor Border Stars of the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
Hilton began his career with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Football League Third Division in 1972, and played under the management of Brian Clough, and Peter Taylor.
In 2004, he was appointed the first head coach for the newly formed Windsor Border Stars of the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
In his debut season with Windsor he led the team to a third-place finish in the Western Conference, and clinched a postseason berth.
[3] During his five-year tenure with the organization he made the playoffs with the club four consecutive years, won two Open Canada Cups, and one AISL Championship.