Wilson comes home again

After the strange fit of Jon Fabris into Oklahoma's coaching staff, and the almost immediate change of heart, the Sooners have finally found their man and it's a name that's plenty familiar to Sooner fans, former Sooner linebacker Chris Wilson.

Wilson was hired away from his role as defensive line coach under Gary Barnett at Colorado, a position he's held since the spring of 2000.

"Being in the same conference with Chris, we recognize the job he has done in coaching Colorado's defensive ends and defensive linemen over the last five years," Sooner head coach Bob Stoops told SoonerSports.com.

Among those players was 2004 NFL first round draft pick, Tyler Brayton. Wilson spoke with SoonerSports.com, the University of Oklahoma's official athletic site, about his excitement for a long awaited homecoming of sorts.

"As a player out of high school there was no other college that I wanted to attend than Oklahoma," Wilson told SoonerSports. "Now, there is no other college I'd rather coach. I've come full circle. I feel very fortunate that I've had the opportunity to go out and see different parts of the world and now I am back at OU. And I realize how special that place is."

When the original choice of Fabris was made, it was widely believed that the coach's familiarity with both Bob Stoops and Brent Venables made him an obvious choice. However, it's doubtful than any coach in the country could be more familiar with the men on the Sooner sidelines than Wilson.

"I have worked with Kevin (Sumlin), I played with Cale (Gundy) and have been friends with Jackie (Shipp) for a long time so I have good familiarity with several on that staff, and of course we see them all of the time on the recruiting trail," Wilson said. "I have cheered for them every game but one."

Wilson was thrice an All Big Eight honoree during his career (1988-1991) at Oklahoma and has spent time at Indiana State, Nothern Illinois, NEO, Illinois State and Army. He also spent time with internships with three NFL squads, spending time with Dallas, Arizona, and Miami.

The Dallas native seems to already be aware of the task he has ahead of him in replacing a couple of decorated Sooners, including All-American Dan Cody. He's aided by the fact that he recruited several of the players that he will now be coaching.

"I know I will be coaching along side some very good coaches and I know the talent level is there. I am excited to coach those guys. We'll have some young players at defensive end, but I recruiting several of them so I know their quality. It will be my job to limit their youthful mistakes."

Speaking of his recruiting prowess, Rivals100.com editor Jeremy Crabtree says that Wilson's reputation as a recruiter will help the Sooners off the field as well as on it.

"He's a guy that has a good knowledge of Texas, and will help Oklahoma in their recruiting effort," Crabtree said. "He has a good reputation with high school coaches and especially in the Dallas area."