Coach Matt LaFleur’s search for a defensive coordinator will continue with Baltimore Ravens defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson, according to NFL Network.
This was Wilson’s first season in Baltimore, and it hardly could have gone better. Baltimore became the first team in NFL history to lead the league in points allowed, sacks and takeaways. Wilson’s secondary, which finished No. 1 in opponent passer rating, played a big role.
The previous two seasons, he was defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2022, the Eagles reached the Super Bowl behind a defense that finished fifth in passer rating and first in yards.
When Jonathan Gannon went from defensive coordinator of the Eagles to head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Wilson was a candidate to replace Gannon. That job went to Sean Desai, so Wilson pursued other opportunities.
Wilson was a three-year starting defensive back at the University of Maryland from 2000 through 2003. He spent part of the 2004 season on Washington’s practice squad.
Wilson got his start in coaching at DeMatha (Md.) Catholic School from 2004 through 2006 before returning to his collegiate alma mater as a graduate assistant in 2007 and 2008.
From there, he served as a pro scout for the Chicago Bears from 2008 through 2011. Wilson worked as defensive backs coach of the Rams from 2012 through 2016 and the New York Jets from 2017 through 2020.
The Ravens, who lost to the Chiefs in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, finished first in the NFL in opponent passer rating this season en route to earning homefield advantage.
This story will be updated.
More must-reads: