UGA makes it official: Chris Wilson hired as D-line coach
ATHENS – As I reported a few of days ago, Georgia targeted Chris Wilson, co-defensive coordinator at Mississippi State the past three seasons, as its new defensive line coach. The Bulldogs finally made it official late Wednesday afternoon with their formal announcement of his hiring (see below).
Wilson replaces Rodney Garner, who left UGA after 15 years of service on Dec. 21 to return to Auburn, his alma mater. I had a chance to talk to Garner just yesterday and he gives Wilson his hardy endorsement.
Wilson
“Great guy,” Garner said. “Good family man, good coach, good recruiter. He’ll do a good job.”
I’m not sure what else Garner would say but there you have it.
In any case, following is UGA’s official release. I’ll try to catch up with Wilson again as soon as possible and tell yoou more about him. He wasn’t able to say much last time I talked to him, between Georgia having not announced it yet and him being between meetings at the AFCA Convention in Nashville. In the meantime, let me know what specific questions you’d have for Wilson.
Check back for updates . . .
Chris Wilson, defensive coordinator, co-defensive coordinator, and defensive line coach at Mississippi State the past three seasons, has been named defensive line coach at the University of Georgia according to an announcement Wednesday by UGA head coach Mark Richt.
“Chris is a tremendous teacher, outstanding recruiter, mentor and brings a wealth of knowledge in coaching the defensive line to our program,” said Richt. “He has an extensive background not only as a position coach but also as a coordinator and is a very solid fit with what we do on defense. Just as important, Chris is a great role model as a father and husband. He and his wife, Tina, are awesome people and along with their children, Colby and Caleb, will be outstanding additions to our football family.”
Wilson joined the Mississippi State staff as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2010 before being named defensive coordinator in 2011. Under Wilson’s leadership, Mississippi State improved in seven major statistical categories in 2011, while ranking 16th nationally in scoring defense (19.7 points per game).
In 2010, Wilson served as the Mississippi State defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator after spending the previous five years tutoring defensive linemen at his alma mater, Oklahoma. Wilson is a veteran of 16 years coaching at the collegiate level with stints at Indiana State (linebackers, 1993-94), Northern Illinois (linebackers,1995), Illinois State (defensive line, 1997-99), Colorado (defensive line, 2000-04) and Oklahoma (defensive ends/special teams coordinator, 2005-09).
“Our family is excited to have the opportunity of coaching at one of the top institutions in college football,” said Wilson. “I’m looking forward to being part of the Georgia program and putting all our energy and effort into winning games and championships which I know is the goal of all those in the Georgia football family.”
Wilson has coached many outstanding players during his career including Mississippi State’s All-America defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, 12th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft (Eagles); Oklahoma’s DE Jeremy Beal (2009), two-time All-Big 12 and team leader in sacks and tackles-for-loss; Oklahoma’s All-Big 12 DE Auston English (2007); and Sooner Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and Holiday Bowl MVP C.J. Ah You (2005).
The 2011 Mississippi State defense placed 17th in the country in red-zone scoring (73.91 percent) as well as eighth in the FBS in big plays allowed (37 of 20-plus yards). Wilson helped lower the points-per-game output and lessened the passing yards per game by more than 500 yards from 2010.
Wilson coached defensive ends at Oklahoma and, for the last three years of his tenure, also served as special teams coordinator. In 2009, Wilson helped mentor a defensive front that finished eighth nationally against the run, allowing only 92 yards per game, and posted the sixth-most sacks in the country. The Sooner defense also finished the season ranked eighth in total defense and seventh in points allowed.
CHRIS WILSON BIO
- 2011-12: Mississippi State (Defensive Coordinator/ Defensive Line)
- 2010: Mississippi State (Co-Defensive Coordinator/ Defensive Line)
- 2007-09: Oklahoma (Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Ends)
- 2005-06: Oklahoma (Defensive Ends)
- 2000-04: Colorado (Defensive Line)
- 2000 (Spr.): Army (Defensive Line)
- 1998-99: Illinois State (Defensive Line)
- 1997: Indiana State (Linebackers / Recruiting Coordinator)
- 1996: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line)
- 1995: Northern Illinois (Linebackers)
- 1994: Indiana State (Linebackers)
- 1993: Indiana State (Graduate Assistant)
PERSONAL INFO
- Birthdate: Jan. 8, 1969
- Hometown: Dallas, Texas
- Education: 1992 – Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma
- Wife: Tina
- Children: Caleb and Colby
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92 comments Add your comment
Dawg-Gawn
January 9th, 2013
7:43 pm
Coach Rodney Garner did such a fantastic job over the 15 years coaching and recruiting at UGA that I am very thankful for the service that he provided to the university… I cannot blame a person who decides to return home to his Alma mater, for that is where his heart lies.
Unfortunately for both coaches (Wilson & Garner) some under current friction occurred during the past football season resulting in both coaches making employment changes… Garner’s more to do with Auburn bellying-up than circumstances at UGA.
Chris Wilson is a spitting image of Rodney Garner and UGA is blessed to have his circumstance happen when it did… I wish Rodney Garner well at his duties on the plains… just know the red & black G dawgs are coming to GATA, dude!
Chris Wilson welcome to the real (not Bizarro) G BullDawg Nation where we hate everything orange & gold!
“BELIEVE” in the “G”
Really?
January 9th, 2013
7:54 pm
All you morons questioning this hire based on his stats at MSU, he had a lot less talent to work with and their defense was not that bad. DAMN, relax! People are right, some UGA fans are real slapnuts. Oh well, I guess every team has a few in their fan base.
Dawg Talk
January 9th, 2013
7:58 pm
Great Hire! Keep up the good work Chip @ chapping the as*es of some of these fly-by-nights who don’t like UGA. Everyone should remember, we are talking about Mississippi State afterall. Sometimes, you have to work with what you have, that’s life. He will do an awesome job @ UGA!! I say, welcome aboard Chris Wilson!
Jay
January 9th, 2013
8:01 pm
Chip, your acting like a child. Stop.
If someone doesn’t like the hire, why be so vehement in response? Clearly this hire is
not what I or many expected. Normally, if your being demoted and have poor performance in your
current job, it is pretty shocking that he would be hired at UGA.
tony
January 9th, 2013
8:29 pm
I hope Mr Wilson is a deadlift type of guy because those boys desperately need more burst and power to get off blocks.
Mark (another one)
January 9th, 2013
8:36 pm
Chip: thanks for a little policing of this blog. I trust that as a reporter you’re against censorship (similar to Milton?), but it’s your name on the blog. Anonymous posters attempting to confuse readers and simply spew bile don’t belong here. We may be anonymous to other readers but people still need to post with some sense of responsibility.
The Dude
January 9th, 2013
8:42 pm
Garner should have been fired years ago! A lot of recruits went elsewhere because Garner did not do his job. Did a poor job with the defensive line coaching! We welcome you Coach Wilson!!
RJ
January 9th, 2013
8:46 pm
Thanks Chip for all of the reasons already mentioned. I would also hope UGA bloggers don’t do the same on other teams blogs. We true fans know this to be a great forum to have intelligent conversations about UGA or other germane topics but it become so frustrating when too many pretenders or outright haters come on board these blogs. Opinions regardless are ok when done with a little class and good taste which is to much for some to adhere to.
Paul Garmon
January 9th, 2013
8:47 pm
Toccoa Dawg–Whats that smell up in your area?
dodge dog
January 9th, 2013
9:02 pm
I think I would rather them take a chance and hire a JC coach thats kicking but and not one that thats not too good
Frank
January 9th, 2013
9:26 pm
Chip,
Question for Coach Wilson: Given his past experience as a special teams coordinator, how much of a role will he have in that area?
007
January 9th, 2013
9:40 pm
Chip……I’ve watched the SEC Championship game over & over. It was obvious we lost the game not on the last play but on our inability to stop Alabama’s run game from late in the 2nd qtr until there next to there last possession. The thing that I did not like was that the DC never changed the # that he put on the defensive line until the Alabama’s last possession & he loaded up the line & they went 3 & out. Grantham stayed w/ the 3 man line & never changed until that last Ala possession. Did you notice that?
Hairy Dawg
January 9th, 2013
9:40 pm
I really don’t give a damn whether a coach is a good family man or not. I want the coach to win. We’ll have another chance to do that next season. Richt needs to come up with something.
the old coach
January 9th, 2013
9:57 pm
Your assistants or position coaches are only as good as your coordinator on either side of the ball. Toddy Grantham will be a strong suite for Wilson as he will show and tell him what he wants and expects as a D line coach. I am sure there will be a lots more energy at this position than in the past. If you have a great teacher and the pupil wants to learn and share new ideas and techniques it can be a healthy situation and a good hire.
Orlando Dawg
January 9th, 2013
10:09 pm
Chip, thanks for the beat down of “Mongoose”…listen guys, as Chip stated, most are GT, UF, AU or USCe, fans…Saban did not win enough in the Pros to make up for his shitola personality, at Bama he could get 10 DUI’s as long as he wins, they don’t care…different at UGA, very different!
Oh, and Spurrier was a loser in the NFL as bad as Saban! Go Dawgs and WELCOME Chris Wilson!
Orlando Dawg
January 9th, 2013
10:17 pm
Oh Forgot:
Chris, Tina, Caleb & Colby WELCOME TO THE BULLDAWG NATION! You will love it in Athens!
Thomas
January 9th, 2013
10:24 pm
Thanks Chip
What did they run at Oklahoma? I’ve heard mixed things about the 3-4 and I’ve really seen how much we suffered when we lost Abry and big John J up front (against the run). I’d like to more about his thoughts there. I know we aren’t swapping to a 4-3 or anything. Just curious.
GO DAWGS! 2013!!!
Castle pines canine
January 9th, 2013
10:24 pm
I really think there is a reason in his skill set which illuminated his reason for being hired. we do not know it. It will show,and we will saying now we get it. Every coach that didn’t cut it got the ax. CMR even fired his best friend. So put a little trust in the staff. Statistics,come on man, who had the best defense in the country by statistics, Notre Dame., Florida how did that work our dor them? Great hire,who made a better one?
SpikeTheBallStupid!
January 9th, 2013
10:56 pm
Impressed on what he did at Oklahoma….maybe in a yr or two he’ll make a great head coach when richt goes to the pros. Welcome Coach Chris
SebastianValmont
January 9th, 2013
11:18 pm
Welcome to Dawgnation Coach Wilson… now hopefully our top in-guys on the defensive front wont have to wait until they get 20 or more offers before we extend one. I would love for Lawson to at least give UGA a look now that Garner is gone to the school that he committed to knowing that Garner dropped the ball with hs recruiting to UGA… smh… one can dream right? LOL
7576DAWG
January 9th, 2013
11:26 pm
Garner also drop the ball because of poor communications with Kelsey Griffin. I hope the recruit who we are replacing Griffin with is going to commit because Griffin was a lock.
7576DAWG
January 9th, 2013
11:32 pm
Wilson had a lot less talented players at Mississippi State to develop into SEC competitive Linemen. I think he will bring a lot of energy to our program in player development and recruiting that Garner did not have. Maybe some of those Atlanta schools that Garner hasn’t even visited for a few years will see some Georgia interest.
dawgs01
January 10th, 2013
12:00 am
i think this is great hire now we have two d coord. to bounce around ideas and with wilson playing linebacker back in the day maybe he can get our zone coverages straightened out. i am so tired of seeing our backers and secondary looking lost in coverages especially when they were mostly juniors and seniors. i know he is the d line coach but maybe grantham will get some ideas from him on lining the defense up befor the other snaps the ball and fixing our coverage problems.
Claire
January 10th, 2013
2:06 am
I for all time emailed this weblog post page to all my contacts, because if like to read it then my friends will too.
dmr
January 10th, 2013
5:16 am
With Kwame deciding on the NFL officially now, coaches and potential recruits can see the glaring need for quality depth on the starting defensive line. With about a month to go until SIGNING DAY, we will see if the Wilson hire has any immediate impact. Wilson has been on some kids for Miss St., who may now give Georgia a serious look.
Alabama has proven year after year that the BCS Title is won because of dominance on the lines of scrimmage. Georgia can add real depth to Its offensive line, while hopefully landing some much needed depth on the DL. Georgia needs a minimum of four big bodies ready to play the interior on the DL.
We shall see.
The whole story Georgia’s new D-line coach, Chris Wilson | UGA sports blog
January 10th, 2013
6:02 am
[...] — Chris Wilson can say this about his new gig at Georgia – it’s not [...]
Joey
January 10th, 2013
7:53 am
Re Mongoose – thanks Chip.
Joey
January 10th, 2013
7:56 am
“….maybe in a yr or two he’ll make a great head coach when richt goes to the pros.” – SpikeTheBallStupid
**********************************************
Sounds like somebody spiked your lemonade, Stupid.
Matt in ATL
January 10th, 2013
8:09 am
“hearty endorsement”
UGAlum
January 10th, 2013
9:03 am
Anyone who has a good record on rush defense has my support. We could use a little help there.
RedandBlackDAWG
January 10th, 2013
9:15 am
Mr. wilson must know what he is doing, with 15 years as a coach. I doubt seriously, any fan for the most part that blogs here has any idea what these guys do or the hours they put into their job. He was a co-defensive coach at Miss. St. which is akin to being the maid of honor or best man at a wedding. He no doubt will be a a solid fit in the UGA football program , as I am sure CMR, McGarity and coach Grantham did their research as it would appear, before offering him the job.
I also saw where someone said he needed to learn about the area of Georgia in order to help out recruiting. Not a very well thought out statement. Any coach in the SEC, involved in recruiting has at least a basic knowledge about Georgia schools, and no doubt visited a few of them, chasing after the talent. He will get more familiar, just like any new coach will in time, and he will be a real asset.
I believe the players will work hard for this coach, and since he has a clean slate as far as DL returning that were starters, we will see them play their heart out for this guy, if the reports are accurate as reported.
Give the guy a chance, and if you are a true fan of UGA, keep an open mind, instead of trying to condemn the guy as a failure or bad hire before he even gets his family moved over here, and starts his job.
Girl Dawg
January 10th, 2013
9:18 am
First I would like to thank Chip for policing this thread. It’s completely unproductive to have opposing team’s fans on here bashing UGA all of the time. Providing constructive points to argue over is one thing. But, bashing behind your keyboard courage is another thing entirely.
Secondly, I appreciate CRG’s service to the university for all of those year. I also think it’s sometimes a good thing to shake things up. For example, we lost out on Carl Lawson and Davin Bellamey through non contact or late contact. We may have a shot of landing Davin Bellamey now that Coach Wilson is at UGA.
Go Dawgs!
Girl Dawg
January 10th, 2013
9:20 am
*years
And welcome Coach Wilson and family to the best town on earth!
vesaversa
January 10th, 2013
10:00 am
The GA Rednecks come out in droves over the hire of a black man at the University of GA who have proven he is a great defensive coach . I like that they finally got this guy at GA .
It Is What It Is
January 10th, 2013
10:03 am
Yeah maybe his stats at Miss St. weren’t all that great but considering it was Miss St.. I give him a pass. I mean you can only do so much with THAT talent ya know? It’s not like we hired Al Groh or something.. plus he has special teams knowledge..not like anyone on our current staff has any..
Ted Striker
January 10th, 2013
11:25 am
Thanks for another fine column, Chip Towers.
I don’t know much about Chris Wilson’s ceiling as a coach however nobody knew much about David Pollack (recruited as a fullback) or Tim Jennings (only offered because another recruit backed out) or Terry Hoage (who the heck is this slow guy from Texas?) either. I won’t even get into the coaches who didn’t have the pedigree who kicked booty when they came into the right time at the right place.
mad~catfish
January 10th, 2013
11:42 am
seems like he has bounced around a lot… just hope he stays long enough to settle in and attempt to do a good job.
Truth shall prevail
January 10th, 2013
12:32 pm
Great comments Chip! Like you said you really don’t know what type of coach he will be for a couple of years. Great hire UGA!
RedandBlackDAWG
January 10th, 2013
2:28 pm
I just want everyone to know that I am the greatest fan and most knowledgeable blogger when it comes to all things UGA.
Please note that on all of my long winded pontifications, I make a point to criticize others and elevate myself to higher level of understanding than other fans or bloggers.
RedandBlackDAWG
January 10th, 2013
3:08 pm
RedandBlackDAWG
January 10th, 2013
2:28 pm
Another imposter and I think I know who the moron is. He is a gutless wonder, with the equipment the size of a peanut, who thinks he is being cute but quite frankly, you are rather boring and completely without class. I know now, you are a complete SNERT.
Leroy McChampions
January 10th, 2013
8:28 pm
HAHAHAA and in the toilet it goes …………
TIGER96
January 14th, 2013
4:11 pm
UGA will be getting one of the best D-line/ recruiter in the country much respect for Coach Wilson