The 2019 season will mark the second year for Earnest J. Wilson III as a member of the Defiance football coaching staff.

Wilson brings with him an extensive coaching resume, with experience on several different levels of football.

Coach Wilson most recently served as the head football coach for Elizabeth City State University from 2015-2018 where he led the team to top-five finishes in the CIAA. The CIAA Coach of the Year also developed Division II All-Americans Victor Tabb and Malcom Cherry who helped guide the program to its best record in four seasons. Under his guidance, the team tabbed two HBCU All-Americans, six players designated CIAA All-Conference and a Division II All-American. While at Elizabeth, Wilson also served as a professor in the Department of Sport Management helping in the development, growth, and expansion of the sports management program.

Prior to Elizabeth City State, Wilson led the Hampton University Pirates before spear heading the Savannah State Tigers football operations. While at Hampton, he acted as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach helping lead the Pirate offensive to among the best in the MEAC in total offense and scoring. Wilson also coached MEAC All-Conference player Jeremiah Schwartz who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2012 – becoming the first Pirate to do so since 2009.

Wilson’s decorative background also included coaching stints at Jackson State and New Mexico State, where he served as the running backs coach. He led the running back corps to 1,000 plus yards and 16 scores in just one season.

He played football while receiving both his graduate and undergraduate degrees from Texas Tech University. He earned a B.S. degree in recreation in 1989 and a M.ED. in sports administration in 1990.

Wilson is married to Maria, and the couple has three children: E.J., Jonathan, and Mya. Wilson was born in Columbus, Ohio on March 30, 1965.