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Rod Wilson enters his fifth season with the Chiefs, returning for his second season as defensive assistant in 2023. Wilson returned to Kansas City after spending the 2021 season coaching inside linebackers at Coastal Carolina following the 2020 season where he coached linebackers at his alma mater, South Carolina. Wilson spent his first three seasons (2017-19) in Kansas City as the assistant special teams coach. His 11 years in the NFL includes a six year playing career.

Rod Wilson enters his fifth season with the Chiefs, returning for his second season as defensive assistant in 2023. Wilson returned to Kansas City after spending the 2021 season coaching inside linebackers at Coastal Carolina following the 2020 season where he coached linebackers at his alma mater, South Carolina. Wilson spent his first three seasons (2017-19) in Kansas City as the assistant special teams coach. His 11 years in the NFL includes a six year playing career.

In 2022, Wilson returned to Kansas City as a defensive assistant working closely with the defensive backs. The defensive backs unit was full of youth with five rookies on the roster, the most of all playoff teams. With Wilson's assistance, two rookies who shined were CBs Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams who both snagged a regular and postseason interception. Watson made league history during the Week 2 Chiefs win over the Chargers, returning an interception 99-yards for the longest go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown by a rookie. Third year CB L'Jarius Sneed and S Juan Thornhill led the team with three interceptions a piece en route to Wilson's second Super Bowl ring (LIV, LVII). Sneed also tacked on a career-high 3.5 sacks while rookie CB Trent McDuffie returned from a hamstring injury sustained in Week 1 to total 44 tackles (28 solo), 1.0 sack and seven passes defensed. Rookie S Bryan Cook was also developed through the season with Wilson's assistance. Cook went on to play in 16 games totaling 27 tackles (19 solo), 1.0 sack and two passes defensed with a critical pass break up in the AFC Championship game.

In 2021, Wilson assisted Coastal Carolina to an 11-2 record en route to a 47-41 win over NIU in the Cure Bowl. He mentored a defense that was ranked in the top 25 nationally, tutoring LB Silas Kelly to earn first-team All-Sun Belt and second-team PFF All-Sun Belt honors, as well as ranking third in the conference in tackles. He also tutored LB Teddy Gallagher to earn a Sun Belt Honorable Mention. 

At the University of South Carolina in 2020 Wilson oversaw the linebackers, mentoring LB Ernest Jones to lead the team in tackles (86) and a 2020 Phil Steele All-SEC fourth team selection. Jones went on to be selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 40th pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Wilson also coached LB Mohamed Kaba who returned from an ACL injury to total 13 tackles in nine games, earning him a SEC All-Freshman selection.

The 2019 Super Bowl Champion Chiefs special teams ranked in the top 10 in kick returns, kick return coverage and punt return coverage. Rookie WR Mecole Hardman scored on a touchdown on a 104-yard kickoff in the final game of the regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hardman's 104-yard kickoff return touchdown ranked as the third-longest kickoff return in Chiefs history. He was named Second-Team All-Pro as a kick returner and named to his first Pro Bowl as a return specialist. K Harrison Butker set a franchise record for most points by a kicker in a single season with 147 points.

In 2018, the Chiefs special teams ranked third in punt returns, fourth in punt return coverage and eight in kickoff returns. With Wilson's assistance, Butker had a strong second season, making 24 of 27 kicks and P Dustin Colquitt placed 21 kicks inside the 20 yard line, moving him to third all-time in NFL history (441). 

In 2017, Wilson assisted Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub, helping guide Butker to a decorated rookie season. Butker recorded a franchise record of 23 consecutive FGs, ranking second in franchise history for most FGs made in a single season and tied for first for the most 50-plus yard FGs made in a season with four.  During the 2017 season, Wilson also assisted with the return and coverage units helping the Chiefs lead the NFL in kick returns (40) for 1,051 yards. This special teams performance helped earn WR/PR Tyreek Hill his second Pro Bowl selection after he recorded 25 punt returns for 204 yards and a touchdown.

Prior to his first stint with the Chiefs, Wilson spent four seasons (2013-16) at Charleston Southern coaching the safeties (2013), inside linebackers (2014-16) and assisting with special teams, after the conclusion of his six-year NFL playing career. While still coaching at CSU, Wilson made a brief stop in Kansas City as the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellow for the club's 2015 training camp. As the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellow, Wilson assisted with the linebackers and special teams units, working closely with the rest of the coaching staff to further develop his coaching techniques.

In 2015 CSU ranked atop the league in total defense (292.0 yards per game) and held opponents to the second-fewest rushing yards per game (147.1) which helped earn an outright Big South title and the program's first-ever berth into the FCS Playoffs. Under Wilson's tutelage, CSU landed at least one linebacker on the Big South's All-Conference squad each of his four seasons. In 2016, Wilson helped guide the Buccaneers defense to top rankings within the league, limiting opponents to the fewest rushing touchdowns (15) and fewest total rushing yards (1,488). 

Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Wilson enjoyed a six-year playing career in the National Football League. Originally selected in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft (220th overall) by the Chicago Bears, Wilson appeared in 51 games during his three seasons playing for the Chicago Bears (2005-08; 2010) and sole season playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009). Wilson tallied 47 tackles and one forced fumble while primarily playing a special teams role under then-Special Teams Coach Dave Toub. Wilson's career highlights include four playoff appearances, which included two NFC Championship appearances and a trip to Super Bowl XLI.

The Cross, S.C., native attended the University of South Carolina, where he played five different positions for the Gamecocks (quarterback, wide receiver, spur, safety and linebacker) and put together an outstanding senior year as one of USC's captains. Wilson led the team in tackles (68) while earning All-SEC honors and SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades.

Education:South Carolina (B.S. 2004). Born:Cross, S.C. Family:Wife - Megan; Sons - Jaylen and Ryan; Daughter - Nova.