SAN ANTONIO — UTSA Head Coach Frank Wilson announced Thursday that he has hired Charlie Camp as linebackers coach and Deron Wilson as cornerbacks coach.
Camp comes to UTSA from Houston Baptist, where he served as the Huskies' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He made his mark on the defense in his three seasons with the program, as the unit improved each season in scoring defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. He mentored five all-conference performers, including linebacker Garrett Dolan, who collected six All-America certificates, was a three-time All-Southland Conference selection and finished his career with the seventh-most career tackles in Football Championship Subdivision history under Camp's tutelage.
"Charlie Camp is a veteran coach who brings a proven track record of developing young men on and off the field," Wilson said. "He's a talented recruiter and will add a lot of positive energy within our organization. I am very excited about the addition of Charlie Camp to our staff. Our players will benefit from his experience and leadership."
Prior to his tenure at HBU, Camp was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Rowlett (Texas) High School for two seasons. He has a wealth of collegiate experience, serving as linebackers coach at Akron, North Dakota State, Nevada, San Jose State, Oregon State, San Diego State and Idaho and defensive ends coach at Arizona. He also interned as a linebackers coach with the Chargers and Dolphins of the NFL.
A native of New Orleans, La., Camp was a four-year starter at linebacker for Arizona's "Desert Swarm" defense from 1991-95. He led the team in tackles as a senior and received the Bear Down Award for Superior Effort and Achievement in 1992, 1994 and 1995. He played one season with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, before receiving his bachelor's degree from Arizona in 1997.
Camp has one daughter, Alyssa Shae.
Wilson spent the last two seasons as a graduate assistant for the UTSA defense working with the defensive backs. He has helped lead the Roadrunners to 12 wins and back-to-back years of being bowl eligible, including the program's first-ever bowl appearance in the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Wilson helped tutor a secondary that saw three players earn All-Conference USA accolades during the past two seasons. He was instrumental in the development of UTSA's cornerbacks, including Devron Davis, Austin Jupe, Javontavius Mosley and Teddrick McGhee.
UTSA boasted one of the nation's top defenses in 2017, as the Roadrunners led C-USA in seven different statistical categories and they currently rank in the top 10 among all Football Bowl Subdivision teams in five. UTSA held eight of its 11 opponents to 300-or-less yards of total offense, including a school-record 149 allowed in the 51-17 win against Southern, and five foes rushed for 100-or-less yards, highlighted by a program-record 37 allowed in the 44-14 victory at Texas State.
"Deron Wilson served an integral role in the development of our corners during the 2017 season," Wilson said. "Deron thrived as a player at the cornerback position while at Southern Miss and his passion to teach the fundamentals of the position were an important component in establishing a Top-10 nationally ranked defense in 2017. We're elevating Deron's role as he's prepared to lead the group on a full-time basis. He's earned this opportunity."
Wilson was a standout cornerback at Southern Miss from 2010-12 before an ankle injury sidelined him for his senior season in 2013.
Wilson helped lead the Golden Eagles to back-to-back bowl games while extending his games started streak to 39 by the end of his junior campaign. He finished his career with 171 tackles and eight interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns.
He earned C-USA All-Freshman Team, Phil Steele Freshman All-America and second-team all-conference accolades in 2010 after registering 35 tackles, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and a pair of defensive scores.
As a sophomore, he posted 75 stops, four picks and a team-best 17 passes defended en route to second-team all-conference honors from Phil Steele while helping Southern Miss to the league title.
In 2012, Wilson registered 61 tackles, nine PBUs and an interception on his way to garnering honorable mention all-conference honors.
A native of New Orleans, La., Wilson was a three-time all-district and two-time all-area performer at O. Perry Walker High School.
Wilson earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Miss in May 2013.
He has one son, Deron Kadeem Wilson II, and a daughter, Dakota Wilson.
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