Oklahoma State Adds Familiar Faces to Defensive Staff with Reggie Johnson, Julian Wilson Hires
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State’s defensive coaching room just got a boost of experience and familiarity. Head coach Eric Morris announced two key additions on Monday, bringing in Reggie Johnson as linebackers coach and Julian Wilson as cornerbacks coach - both of whom worked under Morris at North Texas this past season and have deep ties to current OSU defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity.
This move isn’t just about filling positions - it’s about continuity. Johnson and Wilson aren’t new to Cassity’s system.
They’ve been in the trenches with him at multiple stops, including North Texas in 2025 and Sam Houston in 2024. Johnson’s connection with Cassity goes back even further, with a two-year stint at Missouri State from 2020 to 2021.
Wilson, meanwhile, worked alongside Cassity at Abilene Christian from 2022 to 2023. That kind of shared history can fast-track cohesion on a defensive staff, and that’s exactly what Oklahoma State is banking on heading into 2026.
Reggie Johnson: A Veteran Voice for the Linebackers
Johnson brings nearly three decades of coaching experience to Stillwater - 28 years in the game, to be exact - and he’s spent the bulk of that time mentoring linebackers. Twenty-one of his seasons have been dedicated to that position group, and his resume includes stops at just about every level of college football. From Louisville to Arkansas to Purdue, Johnson has built a career on developing tough, smart, and fundamentally sound defenders.
He’s no stranger to big stages either. Johnson has coached in 11 bowl games, including marquee matchups like the Gator Bowl (2005), Orange Bowl (2006), Sugar Bowl (2010), and Cotton Bowl (2011).
He’s also held defensive coordinator roles at Alabama A&M and UAB, and most recently served as co-defensive coordinator at Missouri State in 2023. That kind of leadership experience will be invaluable in a linebacker room that’s expected to play a central role in OSU’s defensive identity.
Here’s a quick look at Johnson’s journey:
- Started as a graduate assistant at Louisville in 1997
- Cut his teeth at Alabama A&M, UTEP, and back at Louisville before moving up to Arkansas
- Ran defenses at UAB and Alabama A&M in the early 2010s
- Worked the trenches at Purdue and Western Kentucky
- Helped shape Missouri State’s defense from 2020-23
- Most recently coached inside linebackers at North Texas in 2025
Now, he takes over the linebackers at Oklahoma State, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and a familiarity with the scheme that should make for a smooth transition.
Julian Wilson: A Homegrown Talent Returns to Oklahoma
For Julian Wilson, this move is something of a homecoming. The Oklahoma City native and former Oklahoma Sooner is stepping into his first Power Five position coaching role, and he does so with six years of college coaching experience under his belt - all focused on the secondary.
Wilson’s coaching journey began at Texas Tech as a graduate assistant, followed by two seasons at Abilene Christian and a year at Sam Houston, where he worked under Cassity. In 2025, he was the defensive backs coach at North Texas, and now he steps into the cornerbacks role at Oklahoma State.
His playing background adds another layer to the hire. A 2014 graduate of Oklahoma, Wilson spent time in the NFL with the Ravens, Chiefs, and Vikings, and also logged time in the CFL with Calgary. That pro experience, combined with his coaching chops, gives him a unique perspective he can pass on to OSU’s young corners.
And there’s a family connection to Stillwater as well - his father, Darrell McCowan, lettered in football at Oklahoma State from 1991 to 1992. Now, Wilson gets the chance to build his own legacy in the same program.
Here’s a snapshot of Wilson’s coaching path:
- 2020-21: Texas Tech (Graduate Assistant)
- 2022-23: Abilene Christian (Defensive Backs)
- 2024: Sam Houston (Defensive Backs)
- 2025: North Texas (Defensive Backs)
- 2026: Oklahoma State (Cornerbacks)
Building Chemistry Through Continuity
What stands out about these hires isn’t just the resumes - it’s the relationships. Johnson and Wilson have both worked closely with Cassity in recent years, which should pay dividends as Oklahoma State looks to implement and refine its defensive system heading into the 2026 season.
This kind of staff cohesion doesn’t happen by accident. Morris is clearly prioritizing familiarity and trust as he shapes his staff, and by bringing in coaches who already understand the system and each other, OSU is setting itself up for a more seamless offseason.
All hires are pending completion of standard background checks, but once finalized, these moves solidify a defensive staff that’s built on experience, connection, and a shared vision for what this Oklahoma State defense can become.