NASHVILLE – Teach, motivate and inspire.
New Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was introduced at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park on Wednesday, and he made his mission —and mantra – clear.
"We are going to talk about effort, and the way we play," Wilson said of his Day 1 message to players. "We are going to talk about having obnoxious communication. We are going to talk about brotherhood, playing as one. A team that fails to connect is a team that fails to win. So, the connection, and the way we play, the way we communicate, the way we jell, that is going to allow the defense to come to life.
"Because when they believe in one another and they trust in one another to execute their assignment and play at a high level, that is when you get outstanding, violent defenses."
Titans head coach Brian Callahan hired Wilson, who has 12 years of NFL coaching experience, earlier this month.
Wilson spent one season (2023) in Baltimore as Defensive Backs coach, and prior to joining the Ravens, Wilson spent two seasons with the Eagles, first as Defensive Backs coach (2021) and then as Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/DB's (2022).
Before that, Wilson spent four seasons (2017-20) with the Jets as Defensive Backs coach (2017-18) and Passing Game Coordinator/DB's (2019-20).
Wilson entered the NFL as a coach in 2012 with the St. Louis Rams as a Defensive Quality Control coach. In 2015 he was elevated to Defensive Backs coach. Prior to joining the NFL coaching ranks, he spent four years (2008-11) as a pro scout for the Bears.
Wilson said he admires Callahan, and he wanted to be a part of his staff. He talked about his long-time relationship with Titans General Manager Ran Carthon as well.
They plan to all work together to make the Titans a force on defense.
"For me, if I see a talented player, I feel like I can get the best out of them," Wilson said. "Any player that I have ever been around, the first thing I am going to do: I pride myself in being a hell of a teacher. I am going to motivate them to be better than they think they should be or reach the potential they are supposed to. And I am going to inspire them to go get it."
Callahan said Wilson will have the authority to run the defense the way he sees fit, and Wilson said the defense will be attacking, and violent, in its approach.
Wilson said the defense will blitz, will play coverage, play man-to-man, and plans to be "multiple in everything we do."
The plan, Wilson said, is to create problems for opposing offenses.
Wilson said he's thrilled to have the opportunity.
"Football, it's not about the scheme, it's about the players," he said. "So, we have to figure out what they do well, and we'll put the scheme around them to allow their talents to flourish. I can tell you this about the scheme, and I learned this a long time ago, General George Patton said this: 'Nobody ever defended anything successfully. You are going to attack, and attack some more.'
"We are going to be an attacking defense. We are going to be violent in our approach. We are going to be smart, we are going to be intelligent, we are never going to compromise for competing, and that is the brand of football we are going to play around here."
