Another defensive hire who was set to be a first year DC at a directional school. Billy goes with someone he knows, Wilson was an analyst at UF in 22.
This was brought up to disparage Harris as not being a big loss so I’ll do the same for this guy 2024 Season Rankings Pass Yards Allowed UF 83 Ark 110 Pass Eff Defense UF 49 Ark 96 Interceptions UF 15th Ark 80th
Why didn’t Billy hire him last year, Wilson was already a known quantity to him, Harris was not? “2024 wasn’t so kind for the Razorbacks secondary as they allowed 246.9 passing yards per game, ranking 111th in the country in passing yards allowed and last in the SEC.” Florida expected to hire Georgia State DC Deron Wilson as defensive backs coach | GatorCountry.com
This is an upgrade, as we now have two solid coaches in the secondary instead of one to coach 5 positions. Also, hard to compare Arkansas ranking with Florida, as the talent level is not the same in the secondary or the defensive front. We will soon find out, and I hope he as good as what we are hearing.
Some have heard this a great hire so it doesn’t matter. Plus he moves around a lot so it won’t make a difference. He’ll be gone in a year.
Extremely young defensive coaching staff which could be helpful in recruiting HS kids?? Certainly don’t have the coaching experience of some of the top SEC programs.
Harris is 36years old, Wilson is 35, Sunseri is 33. Rob Roberts is 57. Chatman and Peterson mid 30’s. Not the youngest staff around but, yes they are certainly not the oldest either. They are all one year older and more experienced than last season so I’d say our staff is older and more experienced than last year and that staff pulled it together last season. I don’t like losing Harris: he’s a rising star in my opinion but Wilson is well thought of and comes with SEC experience, unlike Harris did. Granted, his tenure at Arky wasn’t remarkable but, as foot noted,(no pun intended), he’s got more talent to work with this season. I think it’s a good hire but , nobody, including CBN, will know if it’s a good hire or not until the season progresses.
2022 Arkansas pass def 131st...last 2023 when Wilson arrived 32nd. Could be personal? Got plenty to work with here. Hanks jr will be a star.
That 2024 season he lost his top cornerback to injury early in the season, a kid he recruited there who made all SEC Freshmean team in 2023, a season where he took an Arkansas pass def ranked 131st in 2022... to ranked 32nd his first season there in 23. Arkanasas started MIGUEL MITCHELL at safety last season. Think about that
Harris was plagued with the injury bug (Lost Marshall in October) and they did alright. A lot of the talent this new guy gets to work with is thanks to Harris. You can think about that. I don’t care about whether the new guy is good or bad. I’m just pointing out some of the dumb points people brought up to say Harris wasn’t that good and not a big deal to lose.
Most of are trying to look on the bright side and PR the Florida Gators instead of trashing are coaches or spreading false unsubstantiated harmful rumors that only hurt the program.
Our defense was definitley a bend but don't break D, mostly bolstered by a hugely improved RedZone Defense that kept some points off the board. But as far as lock down pass defense, between the 20's we were more opportunistic that efficient. Our guys played tough but the emergence of a real pass rush also helped them in the secondary. I see both Harris and Wilson as very similar coaches.
Experience and record of DBs being drafted means so much more. The coaching experience of top SEC programs comes up when you're being recruited. It's called negative recruiting but it's really not- Sales 101. I would without reservation advise you that my staff has a better record of producing NFL DBs and you would believe me, if it's true. I do realize top talent ends up drafted which creates the impression I produced the draft results. But that's the point.
