Former Gamecock Shaq Wilson lands first NFL job, report says

A South Carolina assistant coach and ex-Gamecocks player is headed to the NFL.

Defensive analyst Shaq Wilson is reportedly joining the New York Jets staff as an assistant defensive line coach, per a report from ESPN’s Rich Cimini on Tuesday night.

Wilson confirmed he was departing the Gamecocks’ staff on Wednesday morning in a note penned on Twitter.

“As I sit down to write this, I can’t help but feel a surge of emotions running through my heart,” he wrote. “The University of South Carolina, its incredible fans, and the Gamecock family have been a HUGE part of my life since Carolina began recruiting me at 15 years old. It has been an amazing journey together, and today, I want to express my deepest gratitude and love for this wonderful place that has shaped me into the person I am.”

Wilson was a four-year letterwinner for the Gamecocks during his playing days and was elected a team captain during his senior season. He joined the South Carolina staff as a graduate assistant in 2013 before holding roles as the quality control coordinator for the defense (2014), assistant director for recruiting (2016) and assistant director of football player personnel (2017).

The Jacksonville, Florida native also spent three years on staff at Tennessee as assistant director of football sports performance before returning to South Carolina in January 2021 as a defensive analyst.

Wilson replaces Greg Scruggs in New York after Scruggs was hired to be the defensive line coach at Wisconsin under new head coach Luke Fickell.