NASHVILLE – First-year Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson will be among the coaches taking part in the 2024 Coach Accelerator Program at the NFL meetings next week in Music City.
The Springs Meetings are scheduled for May 20-22 in Nashville.
The Accelerator program is part of the league's efforts to strengthen the pipeline of diverse coaching candidates. It serves as a platform for clubs and owners to engage with qualified coaching candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Candidates can build relationships with club owners and executives and further develop and hone their leadership skills. To date, the program has successfully contributed to an increase in diverse candidates being interviewed for open positions, and many past participants have been promoted and hired into more senior coaching positions.
While with the San Francisco 49ers, Ran Carthon took part in the NFL's Front Office Accelerator Program prior to be hired as General Manager by the Titans.
"Developing diverse coaching talent through the Accelerator program is a key priority," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "In its fifth iteration, this program continues to be an effective avenue for club owners and executives to be exposed to the skillset and unique backgrounds of highly qualified coaching candidates, and for the program's participants to network with one another and engage in professional development sessions."
Wilson, who joined the Titans earlier this this offseason, has 12 years of NFL coaching experience, including nine seasons coaching defensive backs.
Wilson spent one season (2023) with the Baltimore Ravens as Defensive Backs coach. Prior to joining the Ravens, Wilson spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, first as Defensive Backs coach (2021) and then as Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/DB's (2022).
Wilson spent four seasons (2017-20) with the New York 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 Chicago Bears. He originally entered coaching as a Defensive Backs coach for his high school alma mater, DeMatha Catholic (MD) from 2004-06. He also spent two seasons (2007-09) at the University of Maryland as a graduate assistant.
In addition to networking and personal development programming, the league will provide coaches with insight to future initiatives, both on and off the field, to contextualize how the game will continue to develop and where the NFL is evolving.
"Since its inception, the Coaching Accelerator has prepared candidates to succeed in various coaching roles while cultivating relationships with executives and key decision makers," said Mark Wilf, Minnesota Vikings owner and president. "The program proves to be mutually beneficial for participants and clubs as it breaks down barriers to access and educational tools vital for success. I am proud of the progress already made and look forward to seeing the continuous growth of the Accelerator."
