Kevin Wilkins enters his second season with the Jacksonville Jaguars as assistant linebackers coach in 2026.
In 2025, Wilkins assisted a Jaguars defense that set franchise records with a league-leading 85.6 rushing yards allowed per game, 31 takeaways, 22 interceptions and 107 passes defensed. LB Devin Lloyd produced a career year, receiving Pro Bowl and AP All-Pro honors after leading all linebackers and ranking tied-second in the NFL overall with five interceptions. Lloyd became the second player in the last 20 seasons (LB Lavonte David, 2013) to register at least 10 quarterback hits and five interceptions in a single season. LB Foye Oluokun's career-high 11 passes defensed tied for the league lead among linebackers and set the single-season franchise record at his position, while he also tallied his sixth straight season with 100-plus tackles.
Wilkins spent the 2024 season as defensive analyst for the University of Michigan, coaching outside linebackers. He contributed to a defensive unit that allowed 90.7 rushing yards per game, ranking fifth nationally. EDGE Josaiah Stewart ranked second in the Big Ten in sacks (8.5) in 2024 and finished the season as the second-highest rated edge in college football. Michigan ended their season on a high note, defeating Ohio State and holding them to just 10 points in Columbus.
Prior to his stint at Michigan, Wilkins spent two seasons as a defensive assistant for the New York Giants (2022-23). In 2023, the Giants' defense tied for first in takeaways (31), the team's most since 2012. Further, the Giants' 18 interceptions tied for third-most in the NFL in 2023 and were the team's highest total since 2012 (21). DL Dexter Lawerence II's 53 tackles (32 solo), team-high 21 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two passes defensed secured him his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. In 2022, the Giants ranked fifth in the NFL in third-down defense, fifth in the red zone and eighth in tackling percentage.
Before his tenure with the Giants, Wilkins spent seven seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2015-21). After two seasons as a football video intern (2015-16), Wilkins was then promoted to football video operations coordinator (2017-20), working on special projects for the Ravens coaching staff. Wilkins' work led to him joining Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale's staff as a defensive assistant in 2021, when the unit allowed the fewest yards in the NFL.
Wilkins spent four years at the University of South Carolina, where he graduated with a degree in business management. While attending school, Wilkins worked as a video assistant under Steve Spurrier. The Gamecocks won the SEC East for the first time in school history, followed by three consecutive 11-win seasons.
The Doylestown, Pa., native was a graduate of La Salle College High School outside of Philadelphia. His older brother, Drew, is also an NFL coach, currently serving as pass rush coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. The two previously worked together on the Giants staff in 2022-23.
