One name that should be on the radar of NFL teams needing a head coach is Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. In his first season as a DC, Wilson has the Titans ranked second in total defense, first in pass defense, and eighth in run defense.
Not bad for a 42-year-old first-time coordinator.
On Sunday, Wilson returns home as the Titans travel to Landover, Maryland, to face the Washington Commanders. Wilson was born and raised near the Commanders’ Northwest Stadium in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He played collegiately at the University of Maryland and signed with the then-Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2004.
An injury ended Wilson’s playing career before it began, but he quickly made an impact as a coach.
“It’s not about me; all I care about is going back to Washington and getting a win,” Wilson said on Thursday. “All I care about is this defense having success.”
Wilson then reflected on growing up in the Washington area.
“Obviously, I love being from the East Coast, being from the Maryland/DMV area,” he said. “A majority of my family is there. I have great memories. High school was right down the road; my grandmother lived right across the street from the stadium. I grew up probably 10 minutes away from it. Being from there is a helluva thing, and I represent it well.”
Sunday will be a homecoming for @Titans DC Dennard Wilson, who went to DeMatha Catholic High School, played at @TerpsFootball and joined the @Commanders as a UDFA in 2004. pic.twitter.com/yz4XX9bffu
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 28, 2024
The Titans have struggled to pick up victories in 2024, but you can’t blame Tennessee’s defense, which is why you’ll start hearing Wilson’s name when the offseason hiring cycle kicks off.