Chris Wilson - Special Teams Coordinator/ Defensive Ends - Fourth Season

Coaching Accomplishments

• 2008 started out looking like a dream defensive end lineup. OU had the 2008 Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in Auston English on one end and sophomore phenom Jeremy Beal at that other end, but three games into the season English was out with an injury, freshman Frank Alexander stepped in and the Sooner ends remained effective. Jeremy Beal went on to achieve All-Big 12 honors as he led the defense in sacks (8.5) and tackles for a loss (14.5). As in the case of Alexander, Coach Wilson emphasizes that everyone has an opportunity to play on gameday if they prepare and continue to develop their skills to the highest level.
• Helped the OU Defense to a conference-leading 32 sacks, 15 of which came from his Ends. Sophomore Auston English ranked ranked No. 15 nationally in sacks despite missing three games en route to being named first-team All Big 12. His unit also forced four fumbles on the year.
• His 2006 Defensive Ends logged 25.5 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks. They also knocked down seven passes.
• With his top returning starter (Larry Birdine) lost in August and one of his budding stars (John Williams) sidelined in the opener by injuries, he still coached the defensive ends to a brilliant season in 2005 at Oklahoma. C.J. Ah You was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and MVP of the Holiday Bowl, and Calvin Thibodeaux captured post-season honors while leading the team with 10 sacks. Neither had started a game for the Sooners prior to the 2005 season.
• Colorado ranked No. 15 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 with 33 sacks in 2004.
• The Buffaloes were the Big 12 North champions three times during his tenure.
• Coached on the Illinois State squad that captured the Gateway Conference title and advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals in 1999. That season marked the only time that the Redbirds accomplished those feats.

Prominent Pupils

• C.J. Ah You (Oklahoma), 2005 Big 12 Def. Necomer of the Year, 2006 All-Big 12
• Justin Bannan (Colorado), Bills, 2001 First Team All-Big 12
• Tyler Brayton (Colorado), Raiders, First-round draft pick in 2003
• Gabe Nyenhuis (Colorado), Bills
• Chad Pegues (Illinois St.), Browns
• Damian Gregory (Illinois St.), Bucs

Accomplishments as a Player

• A four-year letterman at Oklahoma between 1988-1991, he recorded 311 tackles, 18th-best all-time and 11th-best for an OU linebacker. Was on the 1991 Butkus Award watch list.
• Third-team All-America selection as a junior by The Football News.
• His three fumble recoveries as a senior ties for the OU single-season record by a linebacker.
• His 12 career pass deflections ranks seventh all-time by a linebacker at OU.
• Top OU tackler (eight) in 1991 Gator Bowl.
• All-Big Eight second team three times.
• Drafted in the 12th round by the Chicago Bears in 1992.