Jireh Wilson - Football Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Jireh Wilson

Title:
Edges
Phone:
540-568-6517

Jireh Wilson is in his first season with the James Madison football program in 2026, as he serves as the edges coach.

Wilson joins the Dukes after spending the 2025 season at Virginia Tech, where he held the same on-field coaching role.

In his lone season in Blacksburg, he was responsible for leading the mixed down game plans and assisting with third down and red zone. In addition to his position group, Wilson aided in the development of the linebackers and ends.

Prior to VT, Wilson was safeties coach in 2024 at Kennesaw State. He also coached the punt unit and oversaw punter Jacob Ulrich, who broke a single-game punting average record and finished sixth nationally in punt average (46.0) on his way to First Team All-Conference USA honors. He also coached long snapper Bryce Robinson to Honorable Mention All-CUSA status.

He also mentored safety Isaac Paul, who was an all-conference freshman pick. That season, as part of KSU’s reclassification to the FBS, saw the program win their first game ever against an FBS opponent.

During his time at NGU, Wilson led a defensive unit that allowed 24.9 points per game in 2023, which was 11.92 points better than the previous season. His defense also improved the average passing yards allowed per game by 73, which was an improvement of over 100 spots in the national rankings.

Prior to joining the Crusaders, Wilson was a defensive assistant coach and co-special teams coordinator at Gardner-Webb (2022). Under his guidance, the Runnin’ Bulldog defense ranked fourth in interceptions (16), sixth in turnovers gained (25) and 22nd in third down defense.

Wilson coached All-American cornerback Raequan Ousley who finished fourth in the nation in passes defended (20). The Runnin’ Bulldogs finished the year with the program’s first winning season since 2013 and earned the 2022 Big South Championship.

He began his career at North Greenville (2020-21), where he was a graduate assistant and outside linebackers coach.

The Calhoun, Georgia native played linebacker and was a two-time captain at Wofford, winning three Southern Conference Championships and earning 2019 First-Team All-SoCon accolades.

Wilson graduated from Wofford in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in biology. He is married to his wife Alie.

Wilson Coaching File
2025: Virginia Tech (Edges)
2024: Kennesaw State (Safeties)
2023: North Greenville (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
2022: Gardner-Webb (Cornerbacks/Co-Special Teams Coordinator)
2020-21: North Greenville (Graduate Assistant/Outside Linebackers)