Steve Wilson's Furman coaching career now spans 19 seasons over two tenures, the latest of which began in 2002 following a two-year stint as head coach at Gainesville (Ga.) High School, his prep alma mater. Since his return to Furman he has served as defensive coordinator and coach of the Paladin linebackers. In 2004 his Paladin defense, sparked by six all-conference performers, including consensus Southern Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Year linebacker William Freeman and freshman-of-the-year strong safety Andrew Thacker, topped the league in scoring defense to key Furman to a 10-3 record, SoCon title, and No. 5 final national ranking. During his first tenure as coach of Furman's linebackers from 1986-98, and six-year stint as defensive coordinator, he directed some of the league's top defensive players, including 12 all-conference performers and four All-Americans. The most heralded was consensus All-American Jeff Blankenship, who led the nation's top scoring defense and Paladins to a 13-2 record and NCAA I-AA national title. In 1998 Orlando Ruff earned All-America honors before beginning a seven-year NFL career. In all Furman captured three league championships and made five NCAA I-AA playoff appearances during Wilson's first Paladin coaching tenure. A 1977 Furman graduate with a degree in economics and business administration, he returned to his alma mater in 1986 following a three-year stint as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Mars Hill (N.C.) College. While there, he assisted in the revitalization of the Lion program, helping direct Mars Hill to an 8-3 record and its first-ever outright South Atlantic Conference championship. A Gainesville, Ga., product, and 2005 inductee into the Northeast Georgia Athletic Hall-of-Fame, Wilson starred for three years playing both guard and tight end at Gainesville High School. His football career continued at Furman, where he lettered four times (1973-76) as a linebacker under Art Baker. As a senior, he served as Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter president and was awarded the Art Baker Christian Award. In 1981 he assumed an assistant coaching position at Buford (Ga.) High School following a two-year stint in private business. Wilson's tenure at Buford preceded his move to Mars Hill in 1983. He and his wife Angie, formerly of Gainesville, Ga., have a son, Daniel, and a daughter, Brittany.