Despite his young age, he is regarded by a number of players, coaches, and commentators as one of the greatest and most successful managers in Finnish volleyball.
[2] At the age of 25 Tiilikainen was the youngest coach ever to manage the Finnish volleyball league team.
[3] Tiilikainen started his coaching career in Kuortane sports training center at the age of 23.
In his first season in Kokkola, 2012–13, Tiilikainen led the club to a Finnish championship.
[4] After a splendid era in Kokkola and Tiikerit, Tiilikainen made a contract with SWD Düren.
Doctors did not find any kind of conclusions to improve his back and Tiilikainen was forced to end his playing career in 2006.