Last modified: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
IU names Kevin Wilson new head football coach
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 7, 2010
Note: The Dec. 7 IU Athletics press conference is available for viewing online at https://broadcast.iu.edu/sport/pressconf120710/index.html.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass today (Dec. 7) introduced University of Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson as IU's new head football coach. Last night, Glass and Wilson agreed to terms on a seven-year deal that will pay Wilson $1.2 million per year.
"I am thrilled that Kevin Wilson will lead our football program," Glass said. "He is committed to compliance, academics, character and winning. He has helped lead successful programs at Miami (Ohio), Northwestern and Oklahoma. I believe his leadership, vision, confidence, teaching, commitment, discipline and toughness herald a terrific new era for Indiana football."
Wilson just completed his ninth successful regular season at Oklahoma, helping Coach Bob Stoops lead the Sooners to victory over Nebraska in the Big 12 title game on Saturday (Dec. 4). Oklahoma played in a major bowl game in each of Wilson's nine seasons.
Additionally, he led three of the most productive offenses in college football history in 2003, 2007 and 2008. The 2008 offense set NCAA records by scoring 60 or more points in five straight games and 716 for the season.
"I'm extremely pleased that Kevin Wilson, who has been one of the nation's top assistant coaches for several years, has agreed to come to IU to lead our football program," IU President Michael A. McRobbie said. "He has proven to be a great innovator, motivator and teacher, while coaching some of the most prolific offenses in NCAA history and numerous All-American athletes. He clearly has the talent and experience we were hoping to obtain as we embark on what we fully anticipate to be an exciting new era of IU football. I look forward to welcoming him to IU."
Some of Wilson's prominent pupils include St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham, Indianapolis Colts tight end Brody Eldridge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Davin Joseph and Washington Redskins offensive lineman Jammal Brown.
In charge of the offensive line at Oklahoma for four years and tight ends and fullbacks for the last five, Wilson served as position coach for three All-Americans, an Outland Trophy Winner (Brown), a Mackey Award Finalist (Gresham) and a two-time Rimington Trophy Finalist (Vince Carter). In 2007, three of Wilson's tight ends, Gresham, Eldridge and Joe Jon Finley, earned All-Big 12 honors.
In 2010, two of his offensive lineman became first round picks in the NFL Draft (Joseph and Brown), as did tight end Gresham. In his nine years at Oklahoma, 22 offensive players went on to get drafted into the NFL, including seven first-round selections, with three going among the first 10 picks and two in the top five.
Wilson won the Frank Broyles Award for the nation's top assistant coach in 2008, the second time he had been named a finalist for the prestigious award. In 2007, the National Football Foundation of Oklahoma gave Wilson the Merv Johnson Award for coaching with integrity.
Prior to coaching at Oklahoma, Wilson was the offensive coordinator for Randy Walker at Northwestern Univesity for three years (1999-01), also serving as assistant head coach in his last year there. Northwestern won the Big Ten Conference title in Wilson's and Walker's second year.
Prior to his tenure at Northwestern, Wilson also coached with Walker as an assistant coach at Miami Univesity in Ohio for nine years (1990-98). For seven of his years at Miami, Wilson served as offensive coordinator alongside former IU Head Coach Terry Hoeppner, who served as defensive coordinator.
Wilson and Walker shared another IU connection. Walker had been coached by former IU Head Coach Bill Mallory when Mallory was at Miami. In turn, Wilson was coached by Walker at the University of North Carolina, where Wilson walked on as an offensive lineman and earned a scholarship while playing on several accomplished teams. Wilson earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from North Carolina.
A native of Maiden, N.C., Wilson was a three-sport star at Maiden High School and valedictorian of his senior class.
"I am excited by the opportunity to be the head football coach at Indiana University," Wilson said. "I am confident we can win here and win in the right way."
Glass noted the tremendous support provided by IU President McRobbie throughout the search.
"We would not be here today with this outstanding new coach if President McRobbie's commitment to excellence did not extend to the athletic department and its football program," said Glass. "We were in daily contact, often multiple times a day, to ensure that we got the right coach for Indiana University."
Wilson has been married to his wife, Angie, for 15 years and they have five children: daughters Elaina (14), Makenzie (12), and Marlee (10), and sons Trey (11) and Toby (7).
Glass also released today two documents he utilized in the search: "Being The Next Head Coach at Indiana University Is a Uniquely Tremendous Opportunity" and "Prospective Head Football Coach Profile." In developing the latter, he reviewed and considered input from the Faculty Athletics Committee, current and former players, Varsity Club leadership and several other individuals.
