Steve Wilson (defensive back)

Steven Anthony Wilson (born August 24, 1957) is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. He played college football at Howard University. Wilson was most recently the assistant defensive backs/special teams coach for the DC Defenders of the XFL. He was the former head football coach at his alma mater Howard University, from 1989 to 2001, and Texas Southern University, from 2004 to 2007.

Steve Wilson
Position:Defensive backs coach/Special teams coordinator
Personal information
Born: (1957-08-24) August 24, 1957
Los Angeles, California
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Northern Durham (NC)
College:Howard
Undrafted:1979
Career history
As player:
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played–started:140–33
Interceptions:22
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Wilson attended Northern High School where he played defensive back and wide receiver. He was invited to the North-South Senior All-Star Game as a senior.

He accepted a scholarship to play for Howard University, where he focused on playing wide receiver. As a senior, he set single-season school records for catches (94), receiving yards (1,339), touchdown receptions (12) and kickoff returns (40). He graduated as the school's all-time leading receiver and kick returner.

In 2013, he was inducted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference hall of fame.[1] In 2012, he received MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legend honors. He also was inducted into the Black College Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Wilson was not selected in the 1979 NFL Draft and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. Although he was initially waived on August 14, he was re-signed on August 29 for depth purposes, after Butch Johnson was injured.[2][3] He led the team in punt returns as a rookie.

He was converted into a cornerback in his second season,[4] with 11 starts, 48 tackles, 4 interceptions and 41 passes defensed (led the team).

In 1981, he started 4 games before being replaced with rookie Everson Walls, who received Pro Bowl honors at the end of the season.[5] In 1982, he was moved back to wide receiver before being released on September 3.[6]

Denver Broncos

Wilson signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos on September 14, 1982,[7] after Steve Foley broke his arm in the first game of the season.

In 1983, he started 3 games after injuries to Foley and Dennis Smith, forced the team to make changes in the defensive backfield. In 1985, he started four of the first five games because of injuries and finished with 3 interceptions, 12 passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

In 1987, he started at right cornerback the last 5 regular season games and all the playoff games, including Super Bowl XXII. He was waived on August, 29, 1988,[8] only to be re-signed on September 28,[9] after the team experienced a rash of injuries.[10]

During his time with the Broncos he was a dependable player (missing 4 games) and although he was used primarily as a backup, he was always among the team leaders in interceptions, finishing his career ranked ninth (16) in franchise history.

Coaching career

Wilson led the Howard Bison football team to the Mideastern Athletic Conference and Black College National championship twice (1993, 1996).[11] His 1993 team had an 11-0 record and qualified for the school's first Division 1-AA (now FCS) playoff appearance. His coaching record was 78 wins, 67 losses and received MEAC Coach of the Year honors twice (1989, 1993).

He spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator for Bowie State University. In 2004, he was hired as the head coach of Texas Southern. His coaching record was 4 wins, 40 losses.

In 2019, he was named the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach for the DC Defenders of the XFL.[12]

Personal life

Wilson's father, Tommy Wilson, played eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and was a Pro Bowl player.

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs TSN#
Howard Bison (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) (1989–2001)
1989 Howard 8–34–22nd
1990 Howard 6–53–34th
1991 Howard 2–91–5T–6th
1992 Howard 7–43–3T–4th
1993 Howard 11–16–01stL NCAA Division I-AA First Round8
1994 Howard 4–71–57th
1995 Howard 6–52–4T–4th
1996 Howard 10–26–12ndW Heritage20
1997 Howard 7–44–34th
1998 Howard 7–45–3T–4th
1999 Howard 5–64–4T–4th
2000 Howard 3–83–56th
2001 Howard 2–91–7T–8th
Howard: 78–6743–45
Texas Southern Tigers (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (2004–2007)
2004 Texas Southern 0–110–75th (West)
2005 Texas Southern 1–101–85th (West)
2006 Texas Southern 3–83–6T–3rd (West)
2007 Texas Southern 0–110–95th (West)
Texas Southern: 4–404–30
Total:82–107
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
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References
  1. "Steve Wilson MEAC bio". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  2. "Cowboys release three agents". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  3. "Cowboys recall Bison rookie". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  4. "Dallas Cowboys". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  5. "Pickoff king will start for Dallas". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  6. "Pokes Keep Six Rookies". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  7. "Moves". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  8. "NFL Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  9. "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  10. "Denver secondary has overcome rash of injuries". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  11. "Howard names Wilson". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  12. Samuels, Doug (May 29, 2019). "Source: Pep Hamilton filling XFL Washington, DC staff with familiar college names". Football Scoop. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
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