(Jan. 15, 2016) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has selected Frank Wilson, LSU assistant head coach, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, as its new head football coach. Wilson, who has 20 years of coaching experience and helped lead teams to eight bowl games, is widely regarded as one of the nation’s top college football recruiters.

In early January, UTSA retained Collegiate Sports Associates, a prominent sports consulting firm, to conduct an extensive national search for candidates and UTSA President Ricardo Romo appointed a university committee led by Athletic Director Lynn Hickey to recommend finalists for the position. Romo made the final selection after interviewing those candidates. 

“Coach Wilson is an impressive leader who has the passion and vision to take UTSA football to the next level,” said Romo. “In our first five years of football, we have made great gains because of the tremendous support from our community. Coach Wilson is the ideal person to harness that momentum and keep UTSA moving forward.”

In six years 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,” Hickey said. “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, La., 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.

Wilson joined the Ole Miss staff after serving one year as director of athletics for the New Orleans Public School System. He served three-and-a-half seasons as head football coach and offensive coordinator at O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans prior to his stint as director of athletics. Wilson spent the previous three years as an assistant coach at Edna Karr High School, also in the Crescent City. He got his start in coaching as a student assistant at his alma mater, Nicholls State, working with the running backs while finishing his degree.

A three-year letterman, Wilson earned honorable mention all-conference honors at running back his sophomore season. He also was named preseason all-league at defensive back his junior year and at running back his senior year. Wilson attended Geneva University in Beaver Falls, Pa., his freshman season, earning conference Freshman of the Year honors as a tailback and kick returner. He also garnered first-team all-conference honors and was an honorable mention NAIA Division II All-American.

Wilson received his bachelor's degree in general education from Nicholls State (1997) and a certificate of education in biology from Southern University at New Orleans (2002).

He and his wife, Tiffany, have three children, Alaina, Sa’bree and Frank IV.

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