Meet a Roadrunner: Head football coach Frank Wilson is UTSA's newest Roadrunner
(Jan. 20, 2016) --Meet Frank Wilson. The UTSA head football coach is one of the nation's top college football recruiters and one of our newest Roadrunners.
Wilson joined the UTSA staff on Friday after a six-year stint at Louisiana State University where he was assistant head coach, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. With more than 20 years of coaching experience, he has helped lead teams to eight bowl games over the course of his career. Wilson sees that same opportunity for excellence at UTSA.
"When you talk about a school that's a top-tier university, a school that identifies itself as a university of excellence… the opportunity to be the first to win a conference championship at this university or the first to win a bowl game, all of those things [have] appeal…. I could not be more excited about it," said Wilson.
As LSU’s running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, Wilson annually developed and managed a backfield that featured some of the best young players in the Southeastern Conference. Under his guidance, the Tigers recorded 45 100-yard rushing games and four 1,000-yard individual rushers. Six LSU running backs have been selected in the NFL draft since Wilson joined LSU.
On the recruiting trail, Wilson has produced five signing classes that were ranked among the nation's top 10, including the second-rated class in the U.S. in 2014. He was named the 2014 NFL.com Top Recruiter in College Football and 2011 Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com.
"Frank Wilson is an energetic and enthusiastic coach who will be a great leader for our student-athletes," said UTSA Athletic Director Lynn Hickey. "His hire is a coup for UTSA and the city of San Antonio, and I know our fans are going to be excited."
The New Orleans native joined the LSU staff after spending the 2009 season at Tennessee, where he coached wide receivers. Prior to joining the Volunteers, Wilson spent the 2008 campaign at Southern Miss as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He also served as running backs coach and special teams assistant at Mississippi from 2005-2007.
But now, he’s completely focused on UTSA.
"I see potential. I see a school that’s nestled in the state of Texas that’s fertile recruiting ground… that allows a sleeping giant about to be awakened," said Wilson. "I'm just so excited about being in Conference USA and the potential to compete for a conference championship and go on to a bowl game.
Wilson credits President Ricardo Romo for his leadership in raising the profile of UTSA, saying he has "the vision to take this university to a university of excellence, a top-tier university, that allowed this university five years ago to have the vision of starting a football program."
Wilson is excited to call UTSA and San Antonio home. "I thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of the UTSA family."
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