(Photo by Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
Craig Kuligowski is officially out as Missouri’s defensive line coach and in comes Chris Wilson, formally at the same position at Southern California this past year. New head coach Clay Helton opted not to retain his services as he looks to make his own mark at USC.
Wilson has coached across the country and in different conferences as well. He coached in the SEC in 2013 as Georgia’s d-line coach, and before that he coordinated Mississippi State’s defense.
He most notably coached USC stud Leonard Williams and he became a top-five pick of the New York Jets under his tutelage.
He has some very big shoes to fill as Kuligowski is one of the best in the business and beloved by former and current players.
I have nothing concrete but it’s fair to say that once Barry Odom got the defensive coordinator job over him last December, there was likely some resentment from Kuligowski.
Plus, with two brilliant defensive minds on the defensive of the ball, I would imagine they would have clashed at times.
Regardless, he’s gone and Wilson is in. Like all other hires Odom has made, this is pretty solid. He may bring a different style to the table, which may make the line play a little more versatile.
New defensive line coach Chris Wilson will likely inherit stud DE Charles Harris. Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images.
He has a very good group of guys to work with: Charles Harris looks like he’s staying, Walter Brady and Terry Beckner Jr. were freshmen All-Americans, Josh Augusta and Rickey Hatley come back to man the interior, and if Harold Brantley can return to any sort of form, that is a monumental plus.
While Wilson has his own mindset, he can also learn from the group he’s inheriting. They’ve been very well coached and could help him ease into the role.
Wilson becomes the third coach hired in two days. The offensive line coach is the only vacancy that needs to be addressed, though I think Barry Odom will also have someone coordinate the special teams as well.
