University of Minnesota Athletics
Football
Wilt, Chad
Chad Wilt
- Title:
- Defensive Line
Chad Wilt joined the University of Minnesota football staff in January 2020 and coaches the defensive line coach. Wilt, who has nearly two decades of coaching experience, came to Minnesota after one year coaching the defensive line at Cincinnati. He has also coached the defensive line at Army West Point, Maryland, Ball State, Richmond, Virginia, Liberty and Central Connecticut State.
In 2020, all eight of Minnesota's sacks came from the defensive line, with Boye Mafe leading the way. Mafe totaled 4.5 sacks and his .75 sacks per game was tied for second in the conference as he was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Joining Mafe in the sack column were DeAngelo Carter, Esezi Otomewo, Thomas Rush and Micah Dew-Treadway. The line was active with their hands as well, as Mafe and Rush record pass breakups and Carter snagged an interception.
During his lone year at Cincinnati, Wilt was part of a defensive staff which led the American Athletic Conference in total defense. The Bearcats posted 96 tackles for loss and 31 sacks on the season, as Cincinnati won 11 games for only the fourth time in school history. Cincinnati allowed only 138.6 rushing yards per game and yielded only 15 rushing touchdowns in 14 games. The Bearcats, which allowed only 20.6 points per game, earned the American Athletic Conference East Division title, won the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl and ended the season ranked No. 21 in the AP poll.
Wilt’s time at Army was impactful as the Black Knights went 29-10 from 2016-18 with three wins against rival Navy, three postseason bowl wins and a pair of Commander in Chief's Trophy as the nation's top service academy in football.
Army, which finished ranked No. 19 in the AP poll, set a program record with 11 wins in 2018 and won the Eastern College Athletic Conference’s prestigious Lambert Trophy. The Black Knights were ranked first nationally in third down conversion percentage and fourth down conversion percentage while ranking No. 8 in total defense and No. 10 in scoring defense.
Wilt was a part of a 2017 defensive unit that helped Army earn ECAC Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Team of the Year accolades. They finished third in the nation in red zone defense and 14th in passing defense in the country. The defensive squad held opponents to 22 points per game and recorded a 21-0 victory at Air Force, stopping the Falcons’ 306-game scoring streak. It was also the first shutout against a service-academy school for the Black Knights since 1969.
Wilt spend two seasons coaching the defensive line at Maryland prior to his time at West Point.
In 2015, the Terrapin defensive line totaled 31.5 of the teams 35 sacks, which ranked 14th in the country. Two players from the line were selected in the 2016 National Football League Draft. Yannick Ngakoue was a third-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Quinton Jefferson was picked by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round.
Ngakoue was second in the nation with 13.5 and was named All-Big Ten First Team. Jefferson was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl.
In his first season at Maryland, Wilt tutored one of the best pass rushers in school history in Andre Monroe. The senior totaled 10.5 sacks to finish second in the Big Ten and earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Monroe set the school’s all-time sack record with 25.0.
Wilt also helped nose tackle Darius Kilgo achieve career highs in tackles (43) and tackles for loss (8.0). The senior finished the season tied for first in the Big Ten with four fumble recoveries and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Kilgo was selected in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. It marked the second straight year a player coached by Wilt was chosen in the NFL Draft. Jonathan Newsome, who Wilt coached at Ball State, was picked in the 2014 NFL Draft and was second in the NFL among rookies with 6.5 sacks in 2014.
Wilt spent 2011-13 coaching the defensive line at Ball State and added recruiting coordinator responsibilities in 2013. He worked with a defensive unit that improved each of his three seasons with the Cardinals.
In his final season at Ball State, the Cardinals improved from 13th in total defense in the MAC in 2011 to seventh in 2013. In addition, the team’s rushing defense and sack totals improved each year. The Cardinals ranked 13th in the MAC in Wilt’s first season before improving to seventh in total defense, while the sacks totals increased from 16 (2011) to 27 (2013).
Newsome was named to the All-Mid-American Conference first team after he finished with 10 sacks, the second highest total in the MAC, and 11.5 tackles for loss.
Defensive tackle Nathan Ollie joined Newsome on the All-MAC squad. Ollie earned second-team honors after posting 10.0 tackles for loss as the Cardinals earned a berth to the GoDaddy Bowl.
In 2012, Wilt helped Newsome garner second team all-conference accolades after ranking fourth in the MAC with 8.5 sacks and racking up 12.5 tackles for loss, while Ollie picked up third-team honors after being named to the second team in 2011. The Cardinals concluded the season with a trip to the Beef ‘O’ Brady Bowl.
Prior to his stint with Ball State, Wilt spent one season with the University of Richmond as a defensive line coach and helped Martin Parker earn All-American honors after totaling 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Following the 2010 season, Parker was named the most valuable player on defense in the East-West Shrine Bowl and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Giants. Parker would help the franchise win Super Bowl XLVI before his career was cut short due to injury.
Wilt coached the defensive line during the 2009 season at Virginia. He oversaw the development of All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection Nate Collins, who signed with the Chicago Bears prior to the start of the 2010 NFL season.
From 2006 through 2008, Wilt served as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Liberty. During his tenure the Flames won two Big South Conference titles, and he coached five student-athletes who received All-America recognition.
Before arriving at Liberty, Wilt spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Virginia (2004-05) and three seasons as a defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Central Connecticut State (2001-03).
The native of Carlisle, Pa., was a three-time all-conference selection at Taylor University in Upland, Ind., and was a two-time NAIA All-American at defensive end and two-time academic all-conference selection.
Wilt earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Taylor University in 2000 and a master’s degree from Virginia in 2006.
His father Steve is a lifelong football coach and was the head coach at Wingate College (N.C.) and Taylor University (Ind.).
Wilt and his wife, Megan, have two sons (Cooper and Maddox) and one daughter (Charlotte).
WILT AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2020-present: Minnesota - Defensive Line
2019: Cincinnati - Defensive Line
2016-18: Army West Point - Defensive Line
2014-15: Maryland - Defensive Line
2013: Ball State - Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
2011-13: Ball State - Defensive Line
2010: Richmond - Defensive Line
2009: Virginia - Defensive Line
2006-08: Liberty - Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
2004-05: Virginia - Graduate Assistant
2001-03: Central Connecticut State - Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
Playing Experience: Taylor (defensive end), 1996-99
Hometown: Carlisle, Pa.
Alma Mater: Taylor, 2000 (sports management); Virginia, 2006 (master's degree)
Wife: Megan
Sons: Cooper, Maddox
Daughter: Charlotte
In 2020, all eight of Minnesota's sacks came from the defensive line, with Boye Mafe leading the way. Mafe totaled 4.5 sacks and his .75 sacks per game was tied for second in the conference as he was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Joining Mafe in the sack column were DeAngelo Carter, Esezi Otomewo, Thomas Rush and Micah Dew-Treadway. The line was active with their hands as well, as Mafe and Rush record pass breakups and Carter snagged an interception.
During his lone year at Cincinnati, Wilt was part of a defensive staff which led the American Athletic Conference in total defense. The Bearcats posted 96 tackles for loss and 31 sacks on the season, as Cincinnati won 11 games for only the fourth time in school history. Cincinnati allowed only 138.6 rushing yards per game and yielded only 15 rushing touchdowns in 14 games. The Bearcats, which allowed only 20.6 points per game, earned the American Athletic Conference East Division title, won the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl and ended the season ranked No. 21 in the AP poll.
Wilt’s time at Army was impactful as the Black Knights went 29-10 from 2016-18 with three wins against rival Navy, three postseason bowl wins and a pair of Commander in Chief's Trophy as the nation's top service academy in football.
Army, which finished ranked No. 19 in the AP poll, set a program record with 11 wins in 2018 and won the Eastern College Athletic Conference’s prestigious Lambert Trophy. The Black Knights were ranked first nationally in third down conversion percentage and fourth down conversion percentage while ranking No. 8 in total defense and No. 10 in scoring defense.
Wilt was a part of a 2017 defensive unit that helped Army earn ECAC Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Team of the Year accolades. They finished third in the nation in red zone defense and 14th in passing defense in the country. The defensive squad held opponents to 22 points per game and recorded a 21-0 victory at Air Force, stopping the Falcons’ 306-game scoring streak. It was also the first shutout against a service-academy school for the Black Knights since 1969.
Wilt spend two seasons coaching the defensive line at Maryland prior to his time at West Point.
In 2015, the Terrapin defensive line totaled 31.5 of the teams 35 sacks, which ranked 14th in the country. Two players from the line were selected in the 2016 National Football League Draft. Yannick Ngakoue was a third-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Quinton Jefferson was picked by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round.
Ngakoue was second in the nation with 13.5 and was named All-Big Ten First Team. Jefferson was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl.
In his first season at Maryland, Wilt tutored one of the best pass rushers in school history in Andre Monroe. The senior totaled 10.5 sacks to finish second in the Big Ten and earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Monroe set the school’s all-time sack record with 25.0.
Wilt also helped nose tackle Darius Kilgo achieve career highs in tackles (43) and tackles for loss (8.0). The senior finished the season tied for first in the Big Ten with four fumble recoveries and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Kilgo was selected in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. It marked the second straight year a player coached by Wilt was chosen in the NFL Draft. Jonathan Newsome, who Wilt coached at Ball State, was picked in the 2014 NFL Draft and was second in the NFL among rookies with 6.5 sacks in 2014.
Wilt spent 2011-13 coaching the defensive line at Ball State and added recruiting coordinator responsibilities in 2013. He worked with a defensive unit that improved each of his three seasons with the Cardinals.
In his final season at Ball State, the Cardinals improved from 13th in total defense in the MAC in 2011 to seventh in 2013. In addition, the team’s rushing defense and sack totals improved each year. The Cardinals ranked 13th in the MAC in Wilt’s first season before improving to seventh in total defense, while the sacks totals increased from 16 (2011) to 27 (2013).
Newsome was named to the All-Mid-American Conference first team after he finished with 10 sacks, the second highest total in the MAC, and 11.5 tackles for loss.
Defensive tackle Nathan Ollie joined Newsome on the All-MAC squad. Ollie earned second-team honors after posting 10.0 tackles for loss as the Cardinals earned a berth to the GoDaddy Bowl.
In 2012, Wilt helped Newsome garner second team all-conference accolades after ranking fourth in the MAC with 8.5 sacks and racking up 12.5 tackles for loss, while Ollie picked up third-team honors after being named to the second team in 2011. The Cardinals concluded the season with a trip to the Beef ‘O’ Brady Bowl.
Prior to his stint with Ball State, Wilt spent one season with the University of Richmond as a defensive line coach and helped Martin Parker earn All-American honors after totaling 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Following the 2010 season, Parker was named the most valuable player on defense in the East-West Shrine Bowl and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Giants. Parker would help the franchise win Super Bowl XLVI before his career was cut short due to injury.
Wilt coached the defensive line during the 2009 season at Virginia. He oversaw the development of All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection Nate Collins, who signed with the Chicago Bears prior to the start of the 2010 NFL season.
From 2006 through 2008, Wilt served as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Liberty. During his tenure the Flames won two Big South Conference titles, and he coached five student-athletes who received All-America recognition.
Before arriving at Liberty, Wilt spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Virginia (2004-05) and three seasons as a defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Central Connecticut State (2001-03).
The native of Carlisle, Pa., was a three-time all-conference selection at Taylor University in Upland, Ind., and was a two-time NAIA All-American at defensive end and two-time academic all-conference selection.
Wilt earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Taylor University in 2000 and a master’s degree from Virginia in 2006.
His father Steve is a lifelong football coach and was the head coach at Wingate College (N.C.) and Taylor University (Ind.).
Wilt and his wife, Megan, have two sons (Cooper and Maddox) and one daughter (Charlotte).
WILT AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2020-present: Minnesota - Defensive Line
2019: Cincinnati - Defensive Line
2016-18: Army West Point - Defensive Line
2014-15: Maryland - Defensive Line
2013: Ball State - Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
2011-13: Ball State - Defensive Line
2010: Richmond - Defensive Line
2009: Virginia - Defensive Line
2006-08: Liberty - Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
2004-05: Virginia - Graduate Assistant
2001-03: Central Connecticut State - Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
Playing Experience: Taylor (defensive end), 1996-99
Hometown: Carlisle, Pa.
Alma Mater: Taylor, 2000 (sports management); Virginia, 2006 (master's degree)
Wife: Megan
Sons: Cooper, Maddox
Daughter: Charlotte
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