The Giants are in the market for a new defensive coordinator, and one name making the rounds is Dennard Wilson - a coach with a well-traveled résumé and some intriguing ties to New York’s new head coach, John Harbaugh.
Wilson, most recently the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, is expected to interview for the same role with the Giants. That connection makes a lot of sense when you look at the overlap: Wilson and Harbaugh worked together in Baltimore, and their defensive philosophies are cut from the same cloth - aggressive, multiple, and rooted in the Ravens’ tradition of physical, assignment-sound football.
While Wilson’s tenure with the Titans didn’t produce eye-popping numbers - Tennessee finished 28th in scoring defense and 21st in total defense last season - context matters. The Titans were banged up on all three levels of the defense, and Wilson still managed to get solid play out of a unit that was missing key pieces. They were middle of the pack against the run (15th) and held their own in the secondary (21st against the pass), despite the personnel challenges.
At 43, Wilson has been grinding in NFL circles for over a decade. He started his coaching career with the Rams back in 2012 after a stint as a pro scout with the Bears.
From there, he climbed the ladder - first as a defensive backs coach with the Rams, then landing the same role with the Jets in 2017. His next big step came in Philadelphia, where he served as the Eagles’ passing game coordinator and DBs coach in 2019.
That stint in Philly helped elevate his profile, and by the time he joined the Ravens in a similar role, he was already viewed as a rising defensive mind. His familiarity with Harbaugh’s system and expectations could make him a seamless fit in New York.
Wilson has also been busy this offseason, interviewing for coordinator jobs with both the Commanders and Chargers. That kind of interest across the league speaks to how highly regarded he is among NFL front offices.
If the Giants are looking for someone who can implement a proven scheme, connect with players, and bring a steady hand to a defense that’s still trying to find its identity - Wilson checks a lot of boxes. His track record shows he can adapt to different rosters and still get competitive play out of his units. And with the Giants aiming to build something sustainable under Harbaugh, bringing in a coordinator who already speaks the same defensive language could be a smart first step.