NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the older brother by about two years, Rashad Wilson always got the front seat in the blue Jeep Grand Cherokee when he and Dennard rode with their dad, Tyrone.
With one exception.
When the three Wilson men drove home from Dennard’s DeMatha High School football games, Dennard got shotgun.
Dad had wisdom to impart.
The Titans’ first-year defensive coordinator was a strong two-way player at DeMatha, a place where he returned to coach between his two tries at playing in the NFL and discovered what he would do for a living.
Many who have worked with him in the past, or are with him now, identify Wilson as a spectacular motivator and teacher of aggressive football with a high-energy way of identifying with his players and instilling accountability.
A good share of the team’s hopes rest on his ability to turn around a unit infused with new players, many with question marks regarding age and injury history, into an effective group that can move the Titans well up from 28th in expected yards per play.