Dennard Wilson was named the defensive backs coach of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2021 offseason. From 2017-20, Wilson coached the New York Jets' defensive backs, including two years (2019-20) with the added responsibility of passing game coordinator.
Wilson played an important role in the development of safety Jamal Adams, guiding him to All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors following the 2018-19 seasons. Among NFL defensive backs, Adams ranked first in sacks (12.0) and tackles for loss (28), tied for the second-most forced fumbles (six) and ranked fifth in tackles (272).
In 2020, Wilson mentored safety Marcus Maye to a career year as Maye led the team's secondary with career highs in tackles (88), passes defensed (11), tackles for loss (four) and sacks (two). Additionally, cornerback Javelin Guidry tied for the second-most forced fumbles (four, tied for the most among all rookies) by an NFL defensive back.
Wilson helped Adams produce the most sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (10) by any league safety in 2019. Adams was named the Curtis Martin Team MVP, becoming the first defensive player in Jets history to earn the award in consecutive years. According to Next Gen Stats, both Adams and Maye finished in the top six in completion percentage allowed among safeties with at least 300 coverage snaps.
During the 2018 campaign, Wilson coached Adams to top-three rankings among safeties in tackles (career-high 115, third), tackles for loss (nine, tied first), sacks (3.5, tied first), passes defensed (career-high 12, second) and forced fumbles (three, tied first). Cornerback Morris Claiborne led New York with a career-best 14 passes defensed. Over the last eight weeks of the season, cornerback Trumaine Johnson allowed a 73.3 opponent passer rating following his return from injury, which ranked fifth among cornerbacks in that span.
In 2017, Wilson helped prepare the first pair of rookies in league history to start all 16 games together, with Adams (82) and Maye (78) ranking first and second, respectively, in tackling among rookie defensive backs. Claiborne led the Jets' defense with 11 passes defensed while cornerback Buster Skrine recorded multiple forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, one of just 10 cornerbacks to do so since 2011. Skrine also finished as one of just three NFL cornerbacks to record a sack, interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery.
From 2015-16, Wilson coached the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams' defensive backs. He originally entered the NFL coaching ranks as a defensive quality control coach (2012-14) with St. Louis following a four-year stint (2008-11) as a pro scout with the Chicago Bears.
Prior to the NFL, Wilson coached at his former schools, serving as a graduate assistant at the University of Maryland from 2007-08 and working as the defensive backs/passing game coordinator at DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, MD) from 2004-06.
Wilson played defensive back and was a three-year starter and team captain at Maryland, earning All-ACC honorable mention in 2004. After his collegiate playing career, Wilson was signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent and joined the team's practice squad before sustaining a season-ending injury.
A native of Upper Marlboro, MD, Wilson graduated with a degree in communications from Maryland in 2004. Wilson and his wife, Taihitia, have a daughter, Riley, and a son, Reece.
