Randy Wilkins enters his 12th season as defensive line coach at Midwestern State heading into the 2021 campaign.
Under Wilkins' tutelage, the defensive front has played a pivotal role in helping the Mustangs to four Lone Star Conference championships, five NCAA Division II playoff appearances, an LSC playoff title and a Kanza Bowl showing since his arrival in Wichita Falls prior to the 2010 season.
Wilkins' impact was felt immediately as the Mustangs ranked 35th in NCAA Division II allowing 120.5 rushing yards per game while averaging more than six tackles for loss and two sacks per game in 2010. The defensive line produced a pair of All-LSC honorable mention performers in J.D. Corcoran and Kevin Birdow.
Birdow earned second-team all-league mention as a central figure on a defensive line that helped the Mustangs to their first unbeaten regular season and a Lone Star Conference championship in 2011. MSU ranked third in the LSC in total defense (357.4 yards per game) and were third in the league allowing 112.8 rushing yards a contest. Defensive tackles Mack Lafaele and Paul Gonzalez garnered All-LSC honorable mention.
The MSU defensive line unit paced by Armanti Yharbrough and Justin Flowers -- 24 tackles each -- contributed to a unit which ranked fifth in the LSC in total defense (372.3 yards per game) and fourth in the league in rushing defense (149.5 yards per game) in 2012 as the Mustangs claimed a second consecutive league title while advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
In 2013, with a unit anchored by All-LSC second-teamer Yharbrough, the Mustangs led the LSC and ranked 34th nationally in total defense (341.7 yards per game), and ranked fifth in the league and 71st nationally in rushing defense (153.2 yards per game).
Senior Bernard Afutiti, an All-LSC first-teamer, led a front unit in 2014 on the league's No. 2-ranked total defense (95th in D2/399.5 yards per game). The Mustangs allowed 169.2 rushing yards per game to rank 93rd nationally and third in the LSC.
In 2015, junior defensive end Harold Wills earned first-team All-Lone Star Conference while Darian Childers-Brown, Edgar Luna and Tyler Massey gained honorable mention for the league's top-ranked defense while limited the opposition to 382.9 yards and 23.4 points per game. The Mustangs ranked third in the league in rushing defense (108th nationally) allowing 181 yards per game.
Childers-Brown returned to lead the defensive front unit in 2016 earning second-team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region Four honors and was a first-team All-LSC performer ranking second in the league with 7.5 quarterback sacks and 14.0 tackles for loss. Wills garnered second-team all-league mention with 4.5 tackles for loss, while Luna (4.0 tackles for loss) gained honorable mention.
The Mustangs wreaked havoc in the 2017 season along the defensive front, piling up 26 sacks and 66 tackles for loss en-route to an unbeaten regular season and Lone Star Conference title. Alec DiValerio led the way with 5.0 sacks and 9.0 TFL.
The Midwestern State defense continued a positive trend finishing the 2018 campaign with 72 tackles for loss and 23 sacks before All-LSC honorable mention sophomore Melik Owens (13.5 tackle for loss, 7.0 sacks) keyed another jump for the Mustangs' defense to 78 tackles for loss and 21 sacks in 2019.
The Mustangs' defense put up stellar numbers during the shortened spring 2021 campaign. MSU ranked second in NCAA Division II averaging four sacks per game as a team while 17th nationally in rushing defense permitting 109 yards per game.
Prior to his arrival at Midwestern, he served as defensive line coach at Texas A&M-Commerce from 2007-09 after completing two seasons as a graduate assistant at Troy University.
For three straight years under Wilkins, A&M-Commerce produced the LSC North Division Defensive Lineman of the Year. He coached All Americans Ricky Hope and William Green, five first-team All-LSC North selections and three conference players of the week. In addition, Hope set the school single-season record sack record in 2008 and Green set the school single-game record for tackles for loss and tied another for sacks in 2009.
Wilkins and the Lions defensive staff ranked fourth nationally in sacks per game (3.6) and ninth in tackles for loss (8.7) in 2009. Green finished the season ranked eighth nationally in tackles for loss and tied for 15th in sacks. Fellow defensive lineman Anthony DeGrate tied for 20th nationally in sacks and tied for 38th in tackles for loss.
In 2008, in his second year, the A&M-Commerce defense ranked second in the nation in tackles for loss (10.2 per game) and sixth in the nation in sacks (3.8 per game) as well as 24th nationally in rushing defense (104.7 ypg). Hope led the LSC with 10.5 sacks and six forced fumbles as well as ranking second in tackles for loss with 19.5. Nationally, Hope was tied for second in tackles for loss per game (1.95) and tied for sixth in sacks per game (1.05). Hope was joined by Green on the All-LSC North first team.
Wilkins made an immediate impact in his first season in 2007 as the Lions defensive unit finished ranked 25th nationally in rushing defense and 30th in total defense. Defensive end Marcus Smith was named LSC North Defensive Lineman of the Year. In addition to Smith, defensive tackle A.J. Johnson was tabbed a first-team All-LSC North performer.
Prior to A&M-Commerce, Wilkins was a graduate assistant at Troy University, where he spent two seasons coaching the defensive line. He directed the defensive ends for a unit that tied for 15th in the country in sacks and 18th in tackles for loss. Wilkins was also involved in the scouting and film breakdowns of the upcoming opponent. During his tenure, the Trojans earned a 41-17 New Orleans Bowl victory over Rice.
Playing Career
The Jacksonville, Fla. native played collegiately under legendary coaches Bobby Bowden and Mickey Andrews at Florida State, where he worked his way into the defensive line rotation as a walk-on before earning a scholarship prior to his junior season. Wilkins was a member of five bowl teams and appeared in four national championship games. He saw action both as a defensive end and as a nose guard while serving as a crucial backup to an eventual All American. Wilkins also played on special teams units as a three-year letter winner.
Wilkins graduated from FSU with a double major in business management and marketing in 2000. He earned his master's degree from Troy University in sport and fitness management in 2007.
Personal
Wilkins married the former Jessica Rowlett on June 29, 2013. The couple which resides in Wichita Falls celebrated the birth of their son -- Christian -- in 2016.
The Wilkins File
Graduate Asst. at Troy (DL) - 2005-06
Asst. Coach at A&M-Commerce (DL) - 2007-09
Asst. Coach at Midwestern State (DL) - 2010-
