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With Karl Dorrell at the helm, the University of Colorado is investing in big-time assistant coaches. Brian Howell reported Monday morning that Chris Wilson will be the new defensive line coach for the Buffaloes.
How about a double dose of coaching news this morning, Colorado fans? Sources tell me the #cubuffs are hiring Chris Wilson as DL coach. Wilson was CU's DL coach from 2000-04. He's been a long time DL coach, including with the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) March 2, 2020
Like Dorrell, Wilson has coached everywhere in college and the NFL, including at Colorado during Gary Barnett’s tenure. After coaching the Buffs from 2000 to 2004, he had stints at Oklahoma (where he was a star defensive lineman), Mississippi State, Georgia and USC.
From 2015 to yesterday, Wilson coached with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. His work with the Eagles netted him a Super Bowl ring. That team was so fearsome because of their stellar defensive line play, as Wilson got the best out of Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Chris Long and Timmy Jernigan.
Dorrell said during Monday’s press conference that he would hire “teachers” to fill out the Colorado coaching staff. Wilson is a respected coach who has developed numerous NFL players through his many college jobs and turned young players into stars in the NFL. His work with Mustafa Johnson, Antonio Alfano, Terrance Lang and Jalen Sami — all NFL talent — will be vital for the success of the Buffs’ defense.
Wilson’s former players include (chronologically) Colorado’s Justin Bannan and Tyler Brayton; Oklahoma’s Jeremy Beal and Gerald McCoy; Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox, Pernell McPhee and Preston Smith; Georgia’s Leonard Floyd; and USC’s Leonard Williams.