www.furmanpaladins.com/football/staff/WilsonS%2701/wils -
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Published on: 5/25/2004
Last Visited: 5/25/2004
Steve Wilson, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (Furman '77)
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STEVE WILSONDEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, LINEBACKERS
Steve Wilson, who spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach at Furman from 1986-98 prior to moving into the coaching ranks at Gainesville (Ga.) High School, returned to the fold as Furman's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in early 2002.
In his two seasons as head coach at Gainesville, he twice directed his squads to the state playoffs.
During his first tenure as coach of Furman's linebackers and six-year stint as defensive coordinator, Wilson played a key role in producing some of the league's top defensive players, including 12 All-Southern Conference performers and four All-Americans.The most heralded of the crop was consensus All-American Jeff Blankenship, who led the nation¹s top scoring defense and Paladins to a 13-2 record and NCAA I-AA national title.In 1998 Orlando Ruff earned All-America honors and signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers.Last year Wilson added two more all-conference linebackers to his list in Keito Whetstone and Cedrick Ritter.
During Wilson's first tenure with the Paladins, Furman captured three league championships and made five NCAA I-AA playoff appearances -- all on the strength of outstanding play by Paladin defensive units, of which Wilson played a significant role.
A 1977 Furman graduate with a degree in economics and business administration, Wilson returned to his alma mater in 1986 following a three-year stint as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Mars Hill (N.C.) College.While at Mars Hill, he assisted in the revitalization of the Lion football program, helping direct Mars Hill to an 8-3 record and its first-ever outright South Atlantic Conference championship.
A Gainesville, Ga., product, Wilson starred for three years in football while playing both guard and tight end at Gainesville High School.Following a solid prep tenure, his football career continued at Furman, where he lettered four times (1973-76) as a linebacker under Paladin mentor Art Baker.As a senior, Wilson served as president of the school's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and was awarded the Art Baker Christian Award.
In 1981 he assumed an assistant coaching position at Buford (Ga.) High School following a two-year stint in private business.Wilson's tenure at Buford ran for three seasons and preceded his move to Mars Hill in 1983.
He and his wife Angie, formerly of Gainesville, Ga., have a son, Daniel, 15, and a daughter, Angela Brittany, 9.