Chris Wilson (photo/John McGillen, USC Athletics)
Missouri Head Football Coach Barry Odom has added Chris Wilson to his new coaching staff. Wilson will serve as Mizzou’s defensive line coach, a position he has coached for 19 of his 23 years, with stops at Colorado, Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Georgia and USC in his career.
Wilson comes to Mizzou after coaching the past two seasons at USC. He coached defensive end Leonard Williams to first-team All-American status in 2014. Williams went on to become the sixth overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.
“Chris Wilson is a great fit for our staff,” said Odom. “I’ve known of him and thought highly of him for a number of years. I’ve recruited against him, I’ve watched him at Oklahoma, Colorado, Mississippi State and Georgia and I’ve enjoyed the way he gets his guys to play with great energy and passion. He’s very passionate about coaching the defensive line and he’s got a great feel for fundamentals and understanding what it takes to mentor a group and lead them and have them playing at their best level. He’s really respected nationally as a recruiter and he’s done a great job of developing relationships in a lot of different places where we recruit in SEC territory,” he said.
According to our sources, players liked him and he dealt with reporters well while at Georgia. When Todd Grantham left, his entire defensive staff also left. Wilson was one of the last to leave. He may have had a chance to stay on with Jeremy Pruitt’s staff but did not.
“I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to be at such a great institution and program as Mizzou and also to be back in the SEC,” said Wilson. “I’ve seen Mizzou in person a lot, both as a coach and a player, and I’ve always enjoyed the energy of their fan base. You can tell the football program is important to the state and their culture. What they’ve been able to accomplish as a program in their short time in the league, being in two championship games, is really impressive. I’m excited about working with Coach Odom and his staff, I see him as progressive and as an outside the box guy who is going to do big things. I understand the tradition of excellence that Mizzou has had with the defensive line, and I’m honored to come in and work hard to help give them a chance to be even better in the future,” he said.
Chris Wilson File
Coaching History:
2014-15 USC – Defensive Line
2013 Georgia – Defensive Line
2011-12 Mississippi State – Defensive Line/Defensive Coordinator
2010 Mississippi State – Defensive Line/Co-Defensive Coordinator
2007-09 Oklahoma – Defensive Ends/Special Teams Coordinator
2005-06 Oklahoma – Defensive Ends
2000-04 Colorado – Defensive Line
1998-99 Illinois State – Defensive Line
1997 Indiana State – Outside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
1996 NE Oklahoma – Defensive Line
1995 Northern Illinois – Outside Linebackers
1994 Indiana State – Linebackers
1993 Indiana State – Graduate Assistant
Bowl Games:
USC (1) – Holiday, 2014.
Georgia (1) – Gator, 2014.
Mississippi State (3) – Gator, 2013; Music City, 2011; Gator, 2011.
Oklahoma (5) – Sun, 2009; BCS Championship, 2009; Fiesta, 2008; Fiesta, 2007; Holiday, 2005.
Colorado (3) – Houston, 2004; Alamo, 2002; Fiesta, 2002.
National Championship Games:
Oklahoma (1) – Orange, 2009.
Conference Championships:
Oklahoma: Big 12 (3) – 2008, 2007, 2006.
Colorado: Big 12 (1) – 2001.
Illinois State: Missouri Valley (1) – 1999.
Playing Experience:
1988-91 Oklahoma – Linebacker
Education:
1992 Oklahoma – Communications
Family:
Wife – Tina; Son – Caleb; Daughter – Colby.