Landius Wilkerson enters his second season at Jacksonville State and will once again coach the Gamecocks’ defensive ends.
His first season saw great production from a veteran ends unit. The 2018 Gamecock defense led the OVC and ranked seventh nationally in tackles for loss and was 15th in FCS in total defense. The defensive front set the tone for a unit that ranked second nationally in third-down conversion defense and led the Gamecocks to their OVC-record fifth-straight conference title.
Wilkerson joined John Grass’ staff in the spring of 2018 after an eight-year stint at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, where he most recently served as the Hawks’ defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.
During his eight seasons, Wilkerson helped two of his linemen earn All-American recognition. Defensive tackle D.J. Chappell became the first All-American in program history in 2012 and defensive tackle Heath McCray was named honorable mention All-American in 2015.
During the Hawks’ first five seasons as members of the USA South Athletic Conference, Wilkerson’s defensive line has produced one USA South Defensive Rookie if the Year (DeAnte’ Griffith), six All-Conference performers and 17 Academic All-Conference selections. Wilkerson has also coached six NFF National Honor Society Achievement winners.
From 2015-2017, Wilkerson was part of the most successful three-year run in Huntingdon history as the Hawks won 28 games, three conference titles and their first NCAA playoff game.
Wilkerson earned his B.S. degree in Mathematics Education from Alabama State University, where he played football and ran track. He completed his M.A. degree in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Tech. He coached for five years at McMinn Central High where he coached both offensive and defensive linemen and served as assistant head coach.
At ASU, Wilkerson was a captain and an All-Conference lineman. A three-year starter on the offensive line, Wilkerson was a member of the 2004 SWAC championship team.
In high school, Wilkerson was a two-time All-State defensive lineman and was selected to play in the Tennessee East-West All-Star game.
Wilkerson and his wife, the former Melody Pugh, have two daughters, McKenzie Lynne and Ava Grace.
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