“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 Wilson¹s 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 State¹s All-America defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, 12th overall
pick in the 2012 NFL draft (Eagles); Oklahoma¹s DE Jeremy Beal (2009),
two-time All-Big 12 and team leader in sacks and tackles-for-loss;
Oklahoma¹s 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.