Staff Directory
Wilt, Chad
Chad Wilt
- Title:
- Co-Special Teams Coordinator/Rush Ends Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 355-1647
Chad Wilt is in his second season as Michigan State's co-special teams coordinator/rush ends coach.
Wilt, who has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, spent two seasons (2022-23) as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Indiana prior to arriving at MSU. Wilt also spent two years (2020-21) as the defensive line coach at Minnesota under current Spartan defensive coordinator Joe Rossi.
"Chad Wilt is a proven defensive coach who has mentored and developed multiple all-conference and NFL players," said MSU head coach Jonathan Smith. "He has a familiarity with our defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and has previously coached at three different schools in the Big Ten Conference. He also has experience as a special teams coordinator and understands the importance of that phase of the game.”
Michigan State’s special teams featured two all-conference performers in 2024 as placekicker Jonathan Kim and punter Ryan Eckley both earned second-team All-Big Ten accolades, while defensive end Khris Bogle led MSU with four sacks and ranked second with 7.5 tackles for loss to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.
During his time with the Hoosiers, Wilt tutored first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Aaron Casey, who led the Big Ten in 2023 in tackles for loss (20.0 for 82 yards) and also ranked sixth in tackles (109) and tied for eighth in sacks (6.5 for 44 yards). Casey earned an invite to the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals.
In addition to Casey, defensive lineman Andre Carter and defensive back Kobee Minor picked up honorable mention All-Big Ten plaudits for IU. Carter racked up 11 tackles for loss and two sacks as part of his 49 tackles overall.
During the 2022 season, four Hoosier defenders earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades, including linebacker Cam Jones, who was on the 2023 roster for the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Prior to arriving at Indiana, Wilt was the defensive line coach at Minnesota for two seasons (2020-21) under Rossi’s direction. Minnesota’s defense in 2021 was one of the most dominant in school history, ranking third in the FBS in total defense (278.8 ypg), sixth in scoring defense (17.3 ppg) and eighth in both rushing defense (97.5 ypg) and passing defense (181.2 ypg). Defensive end Boye Mafe, a second-team All-Big Ten selection, led the way with seven sacks and was a second-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Mafe led the Seahawks with nine sacks in 2023 and had 52 tackles to go with six passes defended. In addition, fellow defensive end Esezi Otomewo was a fifth-round pick by the Vikings and played for the Jaguars during the 2024 season.
During his lone season (2019) as the defensive line coach at Cincinnati, Wilt coached first-team All-American Athletic Conference defensive lineman Elijah Ponder as the Bearcats ranked first in the AAC in scoring defense (20.6 ppg). UC finished the season ranked No. 21 in the final polls with an 11-3 record following a win over Boston College in the Birmingham Bowl.
Wilt had a highly successful three-year stint (2016-18) as the defensive line coach at Army West Point, helping the Black Knights to a 29-10 record during that span with three wins over Navy, three bowl victories (2016 Heart of Dallas, 2017 Armed Forces, 2018 Armed Forces) and a pair of Commander in Chief's Trophy wins. Army won a school-record 11 games in 2018 and finished ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll as the defense ranked among the FBS leaders in total defense (eighth at 295.5 ypg), scoring defense (10th at 17.7 ppg) and rushing defense (10th at 106.8 ypg).
Wilt first coached in the Big Ten at Maryland during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, where he mentored three NFL Draft picks on the defensive line (2015: Darius Kilgo, sixth round, Broncos; 2016: Yannick Ngakoue, third round, Jaguars; Quinton Jefferson, fifth round, Seahawks). Ngakoue earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2015 and was second in the nation with 13.5 sacks, while Jefferson was invited to the Senior Bowl. Both Ngakoue and Jefferson recently completed their ninth season in the NFL in 2024. In addition, Wilt tutored Andre Monroe in 2014, who finished second in the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks to set the school's all-time record with 25.
Before coaching at Maryland, Wilt spent three seasons (2011-13) as the defensive line coach at Ball State; he also added recruiting coordinator responsibilities in 2013. Wilt helped develop defensive end Jonathan Newsome into a fifth-round NFL Draft pick by the Colts. A first-team All-MAC selection in 2013, Newsome ranked second in the MAC with 10 sacks and added 11.5 tackles for loss as the Cardinals won 10 games and played in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Newsome was a second-team all-league choice in 2012 with 8.5 sacks and 12.5 TFLs. Wilt also coached defensive tackle Nathan Ollie to All-MAC honors three times (second team in 2011 and 2013, third team in 2012).
During his one season at Richmond in 2010, Wilt coached All-American defensive lineman Martin Parker. Parker had 14.5 TFLs and five sacks for the Spiders in 2010 and was named the Defensive MVP at the East-West Shrine Bowl before signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants; he was a member of the Giants Super Bowl XLVI Championship team.
Wilt, who spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia in 2004-05, returned to UVA in 2009 as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator. He mentored All-ACC honoree Nate Collins, who signed with the Bears in 2010.
Wilt was also the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Liberty for three seasons from 2006-08, where he helped the Flames to two Big South titles while coaching four All-Americans during his tenure in Lynchburg.
Wilt's first coaching position was at Central Connecticut State, where he served as the program's defensive line coach and special teams coordinator for three seasons (2001-03).
A four-year letterwinner (1996-99) as a defensive end at Taylor University, Wilt was a three-time all-conference selection and two-time academic all-league honoree for the Trojans. He was named a second-team NAIA All-American following his junior and senior seasons as the two-time team captain helped Taylor to back-to-back NAIA playoff appearances, including the school's first playoff victory in 1999. He earned his bachelor's degree in sports management from Taylor in 2000 and his master's degree in education leadership, foundations and policy from Virginia in 2006.
A native of Upland, Indiana, Chad and his wife, Megan, have two sons, Cooper and Maddox, and one daughter, Charlotte.
THE WILT FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
• Defensive line coach/special teams coordinator at Central Connecticut State (2001-03)
• Graduate assistant coach at Virginia (2004-05)
• Defensive line coach/special teams coordinator at Liberty (2006-08)
• Defensive line coach/special teams coordinator at Virginia (2009)
• Defensive line coach at Richmond (2010)
• Defensive line coach at Ball State (2011-13)
• Defensive line coach at Maryland (2014-15)
• Defensive line coach at Army West Point (2016-18)
• Defensive line coach at Cincinnati (2019)
• Defensive line coach at Minnesota (2020-21)
• Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Indiana (2022)
• Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Indiana (2023)
• Co-special teams coordinators/rush ends coach at Michigan State (2024-)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
College – Four-year letterwinner (1996-99) as a defensive end at Taylor University.
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
• 2004 MPC Computers Bowl (Virginia)
• 2005 Music City Bowl (Virginia)
• 2012 Beef O’Brady’s Bowl (Ball State)
• 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl (Ball State)
• 2014 Foster Farms Bowl (Maryland)
• 2016 Heart of Dallas Bowl (Army West Point)
• 2017 Armed Forces Bowl (Army West Point)
• 2018 Armed Forces Bowl (Army West Point)
• 2019 Birmingham Bowl (Cincinnati)
• 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl (Minnesota)
NFL DRAFT PICKS (6):
2022: DE Boye Mafe (Minnesota; 2nd round, No. 40 overall, Seattle); DT Esezi Otomewo (Minnesota; 5th round, No. 165 overall, Minnesota)
2016: DE Yannick Ngakoue (Maryland; 3rd round, No. 69 overall); DT Quinton Jefferson (Maryland; 5th round, No. 147 overall, Seattle)
2015: NT Darius Kilgo (Maryland; 6th round, No. 203 overall, Denver)
2014: DE Jonathan Newsome (Ball State; 5th round, No. 166 overall, Indianapolis)
ALL-AMERICANS (3 PLAYERS; 4 SELECTIONS):
2010: DE Martin Parker (Richmond; 1st team, consensus)
2008: LS Dan Pope (Liberty; 1st team, CSN); PR Dominic Bolden (Liberty; 3rd team, Sports Network)
2007: LS Dan Pope (Liberty; 1st team, CSN)
FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE (11 PLAYERS; 13 SELECTIONS):
2023 (1; Indiana, Big Ten): LB Aaron Casey
2019 (1; Cincinnati, AAC): DL Elijah Ponder
2015 (1; Maryland, Big Ten): DE Yannick Ngakoue
2013 (1; Ball State, MAC): DE Jonathan Newsome
2010 (1; Richmond, CAA): DE Martin Parker
2009 (1; Virginia, ACC): DT Nate Collins
2008 (2; Liberty, Big South): PR Dominic Bolden, LS Dan Pope
2007 (4; Liberty, Big South): DL Steve Ackley, PK Noah Greenbaum, PR Wynton Jackson, LS Dan Pope
2006 (1; Liberty, Big South): RS Wynton Jackson
ADDITIONAL ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES (21 SELECTIONS):
2024 (1; Michigan State, Big Ten): DE Khris Bogle (HM)
2023 (2; Indiana, Big Ten): DL Andre Carter (HM), DB Kobee Minor (HM)
2021 (2; Minnesota, Big Ten): DE Boye Mafe (2nd), DL Esezi Otomewo (HM)
2020 (1; Minnesota, Big Ten): DE Boye Mafe (HM)
2015 (1; Maryland, Big Ten): DL Quinton Jefferson (HM)
2014 (2; Maryland, Big Ten): DL Andre Monroe (2nd), DL Darius Kilgo (HM)
2013 (1; Ball State, MAC): DT Nathan Ollie (2nd),
2012 (2; Ball State, MAC): DE Jonathan Newsome (2nd), DT Nathan Ollie (3rd)
2009 (1; Virginia, ACC): PK Robert Randolph (HM)
2008 (2; Liberty, Big South): DL Kevin Richard (2nd), DL Colin Dugan (2nd)
2007 (3; Liberty, Big South): DL Colin Dugan (2nd), P Zac Kolegue (2nd), KR Dominic Bolden (2nd)
2006 (2; Liberty, Big South): DL Steven Ackley (2nd), Jason Horn (2nd)
2004 (1; Virginia, ACC): NT Andrew Hoffman (HM)
Wilt, who has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, spent two seasons (2022-23) as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Indiana prior to arriving at MSU. Wilt also spent two years (2020-21) as the defensive line coach at Minnesota under current Spartan defensive coordinator Joe Rossi.
"Chad Wilt is a proven defensive coach who has mentored and developed multiple all-conference and NFL players," said MSU head coach Jonathan Smith. "He has a familiarity with our defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and has previously coached at three different schools in the Big Ten Conference. He also has experience as a special teams coordinator and understands the importance of that phase of the game.”
Michigan State’s special teams featured two all-conference performers in 2024 as placekicker Jonathan Kim and punter Ryan Eckley both earned second-team All-Big Ten accolades, while defensive end Khris Bogle led MSU with four sacks and ranked second with 7.5 tackles for loss to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.
During his time with the Hoosiers, Wilt tutored first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Aaron Casey, who led the Big Ten in 2023 in tackles for loss (20.0 for 82 yards) and also ranked sixth in tackles (109) and tied for eighth in sacks (6.5 for 44 yards). Casey earned an invite to the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals.
In addition to Casey, defensive lineman Andre Carter and defensive back Kobee Minor picked up honorable mention All-Big Ten plaudits for IU. Carter racked up 11 tackles for loss and two sacks as part of his 49 tackles overall.
During the 2022 season, four Hoosier defenders earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades, including linebacker Cam Jones, who was on the 2023 roster for the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Prior to arriving at Indiana, Wilt was the defensive line coach at Minnesota for two seasons (2020-21) under Rossi’s direction. Minnesota’s defense in 2021 was one of the most dominant in school history, ranking third in the FBS in total defense (278.8 ypg), sixth in scoring defense (17.3 ppg) and eighth in both rushing defense (97.5 ypg) and passing defense (181.2 ypg). Defensive end Boye Mafe, a second-team All-Big Ten selection, led the way with seven sacks and was a second-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Mafe led the Seahawks with nine sacks in 2023 and had 52 tackles to go with six passes defended. In addition, fellow defensive end Esezi Otomewo was a fifth-round pick by the Vikings and played for the Jaguars during the 2024 season.
During his lone season (2019) as the defensive line coach at Cincinnati, Wilt coached first-team All-American Athletic Conference defensive lineman Elijah Ponder as the Bearcats ranked first in the AAC in scoring defense (20.6 ppg). UC finished the season ranked No. 21 in the final polls with an 11-3 record following a win over Boston College in the Birmingham Bowl.
Wilt had a highly successful three-year stint (2016-18) as the defensive line coach at Army West Point, helping the Black Knights to a 29-10 record during that span with three wins over Navy, three bowl victories (2016 Heart of Dallas, 2017 Armed Forces, 2018 Armed Forces) and a pair of Commander in Chief's Trophy wins. Army won a school-record 11 games in 2018 and finished ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll as the defense ranked among the FBS leaders in total defense (eighth at 295.5 ypg), scoring defense (10th at 17.7 ppg) and rushing defense (10th at 106.8 ypg).
Wilt first coached in the Big Ten at Maryland during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, where he mentored three NFL Draft picks on the defensive line (2015: Darius Kilgo, sixth round, Broncos; 2016: Yannick Ngakoue, third round, Jaguars; Quinton Jefferson, fifth round, Seahawks). Ngakoue earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2015 and was second in the nation with 13.5 sacks, while Jefferson was invited to the Senior Bowl. Both Ngakoue and Jefferson recently completed their ninth season in the NFL in 2024. In addition, Wilt tutored Andre Monroe in 2014, who finished second in the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks to set the school's all-time record with 25.
Before coaching at Maryland, Wilt spent three seasons (2011-13) as the defensive line coach at Ball State; he also added recruiting coordinator responsibilities in 2013. Wilt helped develop defensive end Jonathan Newsome into a fifth-round NFL Draft pick by the Colts. A first-team All-MAC selection in 2013, Newsome ranked second in the MAC with 10 sacks and added 11.5 tackles for loss as the Cardinals won 10 games and played in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Newsome was a second-team all-league choice in 2012 with 8.5 sacks and 12.5 TFLs. Wilt also coached defensive tackle Nathan Ollie to All-MAC honors three times (second team in 2011 and 2013, third team in 2012).
During his one season at Richmond in 2010, Wilt coached All-American defensive lineman Martin Parker. Parker had 14.5 TFLs and five sacks for the Spiders in 2010 and was named the Defensive MVP at the East-West Shrine Bowl before signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants; he was a member of the Giants Super Bowl XLVI Championship team.
Wilt, who spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia in 2004-05, returned to UVA in 2009 as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator. He mentored All-ACC honoree Nate Collins, who signed with the Bears in 2010.
Wilt was also the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Liberty for three seasons from 2006-08, where he helped the Flames to two Big South titles while coaching four All-Americans during his tenure in Lynchburg.
Wilt's first coaching position was at Central Connecticut State, where he served as the program's defensive line coach and special teams coordinator for three seasons (2001-03).
A four-year letterwinner (1996-99) as a defensive end at Taylor University, Wilt was a three-time all-conference selection and two-time academic all-league honoree for the Trojans. He was named a second-team NAIA All-American following his junior and senior seasons as the two-time team captain helped Taylor to back-to-back NAIA playoff appearances, including the school's first playoff victory in 1999. He earned his bachelor's degree in sports management from Taylor in 2000 and his master's degree in education leadership, foundations and policy from Virginia in 2006.
A native of Upland, Indiana, Chad and his wife, Megan, have two sons, Cooper and Maddox, and one daughter, Charlotte.
THE WILT FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
• Defensive line coach/special teams coordinator at Central Connecticut State (2001-03)
• Graduate assistant coach at Virginia (2004-05)
• Defensive line coach/special teams coordinator at Liberty (2006-08)
• Defensive line coach/special teams coordinator at Virginia (2009)
• Defensive line coach at Richmond (2010)
• Defensive line coach at Ball State (2011-13)
• Defensive line coach at Maryland (2014-15)
• Defensive line coach at Army West Point (2016-18)
• Defensive line coach at Cincinnati (2019)
• Defensive line coach at Minnesota (2020-21)
• Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Indiana (2022)
• Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Indiana (2023)
• Co-special teams coordinators/rush ends coach at Michigan State (2024-)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
College – Four-year letterwinner (1996-99) as a defensive end at Taylor University.
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE:
• 2004 MPC Computers Bowl (Virginia)
• 2005 Music City Bowl (Virginia)
• 2012 Beef O’Brady’s Bowl (Ball State)
• 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl (Ball State)
• 2014 Foster Farms Bowl (Maryland)
• 2016 Heart of Dallas Bowl (Army West Point)
• 2017 Armed Forces Bowl (Army West Point)
• 2018 Armed Forces Bowl (Army West Point)
• 2019 Birmingham Bowl (Cincinnati)
• 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl (Minnesota)
NFL DRAFT PICKS (6):
2022: DE Boye Mafe (Minnesota; 2nd round, No. 40 overall, Seattle); DT Esezi Otomewo (Minnesota; 5th round, No. 165 overall, Minnesota)
2016: DE Yannick Ngakoue (Maryland; 3rd round, No. 69 overall); DT Quinton Jefferson (Maryland; 5th round, No. 147 overall, Seattle)
2015: NT Darius Kilgo (Maryland; 6th round, No. 203 overall, Denver)
2014: DE Jonathan Newsome (Ball State; 5th round, No. 166 overall, Indianapolis)
ALL-AMERICANS (3 PLAYERS; 4 SELECTIONS):
2010: DE Martin Parker (Richmond; 1st team, consensus)
2008: LS Dan Pope (Liberty; 1st team, CSN); PR Dominic Bolden (Liberty; 3rd team, Sports Network)
2007: LS Dan Pope (Liberty; 1st team, CSN)
FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE (11 PLAYERS; 13 SELECTIONS):
2023 (1; Indiana, Big Ten): LB Aaron Casey
2019 (1; Cincinnati, AAC): DL Elijah Ponder
2015 (1; Maryland, Big Ten): DE Yannick Ngakoue
2013 (1; Ball State, MAC): DE Jonathan Newsome
2010 (1; Richmond, CAA): DE Martin Parker
2009 (1; Virginia, ACC): DT Nate Collins
2008 (2; Liberty, Big South): PR Dominic Bolden, LS Dan Pope
2007 (4; Liberty, Big South): DL Steve Ackley, PK Noah Greenbaum, PR Wynton Jackson, LS Dan Pope
2006 (1; Liberty, Big South): RS Wynton Jackson
ADDITIONAL ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES (21 SELECTIONS):
2024 (1; Michigan State, Big Ten): DE Khris Bogle (HM)
2023 (2; Indiana, Big Ten): DL Andre Carter (HM), DB Kobee Minor (HM)
2021 (2; Minnesota, Big Ten): DE Boye Mafe (2nd), DL Esezi Otomewo (HM)
2020 (1; Minnesota, Big Ten): DE Boye Mafe (HM)
2015 (1; Maryland, Big Ten): DL Quinton Jefferson (HM)
2014 (2; Maryland, Big Ten): DL Andre Monroe (2nd), DL Darius Kilgo (HM)
2013 (1; Ball State, MAC): DT Nathan Ollie (2nd),
2012 (2; Ball State, MAC): DE Jonathan Newsome (2nd), DT Nathan Ollie (3rd)
2009 (1; Virginia, ACC): PK Robert Randolph (HM)
2008 (2; Liberty, Big South): DL Kevin Richard (2nd), DL Colin Dugan (2nd)
2007 (3; Liberty, Big South): DL Colin Dugan (2nd), P Zac Kolegue (2nd), KR Dominic Bolden (2nd)
2006 (2; Liberty, Big South): DL Steven Ackley (2nd), Jason Horn (2nd)
2004 (1; Virginia, ACC): NT Andrew Hoffman (HM)
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