Embarking on his 23rd season of coaching running backs in the National Football League, Wilson has helped develop a deep stable of top-flight ballcarriers. His most recent protégé is Ryan Mathews, the team’s leading rusher each of the past two seasons. Injuries slowed Mathews in 2012, but he rushed for a team-leading and career-high 1,091 yards under Wilson in 2011. Mathews has also become an adept pass-catcher, pulling in 89 catches over the last two seasons.
Since 2008, the Chargers have scored 68 touchdowns on the ground while averaging more than 1,650 yards per season, including a high of 1,864 yards in 2011.
A native of Worcester, Mass., Wilson played football, basketball, baseball and ran track at Doherty High School. He attended Springfield College and was an honorable mention All-America wide receiver. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education and made inroads to the NFL by participating in the league’s Minority Coaching Internship Program with both the Houston Oilers and Falcons.
Wilson began his NFL coaching career with the Falcons in 1991. In six seasons (1991-96), Wilson coached three 1,000-yard rushers, including the late Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, a Pro Bowl pick in 1995. During his second stretch in Atlanta, the Falcons rushed for an NFL-best 13,994 yards and set several team rushing records, including single-season rushing yards (2,939 in 2006) and touchdowns (23 in 2002).
Wilson is married to Nadine.
Embarking on his 23rd season of coaching running backs in the National Football League, Wilson has helped develop a deep stable of top-flight ballcarriers. His most recent protégé is Ryan Mathews, the team’s leading rusher each of the past two seasons. Injuries slowed Mathews in 2012, but he rushed for a team-leading and career-high 1,091 yards under Wilson in 2011. Mathews has also become an adept pass-catcher, pulling in 89 catches over the last two seasons.
Since 2008, the Chargers have scored 68 touchdowns on the ground while averaging more than 1,650 yards per season, including a high of 1,864 yards in 2011.
A native of Worcester, Mass., Wilson played football, basketball, baseball and ran track at Doherty High School. He attended Springfield College and was an honorable mention All-America wide receiver. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education and made inroads to the NFL by participating in the league’s Minority Coaching Internship Program with both the Houston Oilers and Falcons.
Wilson began his NFL coaching career with the Falcons in 1991. In six seasons (1991-96), Wilson coached three 1,000-yard rushers, including the late Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, a Pro Bowl pick in 1995. During his second stretch in Atlanta, the Falcons rushed for an NFL-best 13,994 yards and set several team rushing records, including single-season rushing yards (2,939 in 2006) and touchdowns (23 in 2002).
Wilson is married to Nadine.
