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Weir grad, WVU alum Quincy Wilson ready to be a college head coach

The COVID-19 shutdown that we all experienced in the spring of 2020 had different effects on all of us.

For Quincy Wilson – the former Weir High and West Virginia University standout – it led to some time for reflection and a chance to truly figure out what he wanted to do in terms of his coaching career.

Wilson, 40, unlike most others in the profession, decided that he ultimately wanted to be a head football coach and he was going to begin the process of getting there.

This past week, not quite two years removed from the time of reflection, Wilson’s dream became a reality when he formally began his duties as the head coach at the University of Fort Lauderdale, which plays in the NCCAA (National Christian Colleges Athletic Association).

Unlike many first-time college head coaches, Wilson has never been even a coordinator, so he knew he had an “up-hill journey” to get to where he wanted to go.

“I reached out to some guys I consider friends and mentors and one friend told me, ‘just go tell your story,'” Wilson said. “Prove to them that you’re experienced and prepared.”

Wilson didn’t just let that advice go in one ear and out the other. He acted on it.

“I started applying everywhere,” Wilson said. “Any job I saw, even at the Division I level, I applied.”

Though his resume includes only roles in operations and as a running backs coach, Wilson’s story was enough to catch the attention of the Fort Lauderdale brass.

“It happened pretty quickly,” Wilson said. “They made initial contact with me in December and they asked me to be patient and if I was willing to hang in there, there could be a place for me.”

About two weeks ago, Wilson got a return call inviting him to Florida for an on-campus interview and basically the rest is history from there.

“When they called me back (to come down), I just knew,” Wilson said.

Wilson and the University of Fort Lauderdale football program, which is entering its second season in 2022, will basically learn and grow together.

The Eagles finished 0-7 last season and – quite frankly – very rarely even competed well. Their average margin of defeat was 48 points a week.

“Football is king (in Florida), so it can work perfectly,” Wilson said. “They were brand new last year, so we’re hoping to play a full, 11-game schedule and get our name out there to really start building this.”

Wilson is well aware of what he’s inheriting. Actually, he’s basically restarting the program because of roster turnover.

“Our roster is a little thin right now,” Wilson said. “I’ve met with the players and now we’ll see where we are and who is going to hang in there with us and be a part of this. We’re looking for kids who want to bring value. I’ll ask every kid we recruit, ‘what value will you bring to our university and team?’ To be able to get to where I want this to go, I need to know the answer to that question.”

That question will begin to be asked basically immediately as Wilson plans to get out and about to high schools and take a look at the transfer market to find players.

Wilson, who spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals after his illustrious career with the Mountaineers came to an end, made a decision to pursue coaching “a little late” in life as compared to many in the profession.

However, all things considered, he’s been able to rise through the ranks pretty quickly. He spent time at WVU working in operations. He landed his first on-field coaching role at Glenville State as a running backs coach. From there, he landed a position at West Virginia State where he was running backs coach, associate head coach and director of football operations.

“I was very happy at West Virginia State,” Wilson said. “I’ve gained a lot of experience in a shorter amount of time than many people because I’ve basically done everything except be a coordinator. Working at two Division II schools, for six years, I’ve had to be involved with everything in terms of fundraising, financial aid, academics, recruiting, strength and conditioning and the coaching part.”

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