Which former Dallas Cowboy is new head coach at Fort Worth Polytechnic High School?

In 2022, Fort Worth Polytechnic High School struggled, winning one game in Class 5A Division II.

C.J. Wilson, a former Dallas Cowboy and Baylor Bear defensive back, hopes to turn things around.

Wilson was hired as the head coach of Fort Worth Polytechnic in May. Prior to accepting the job, Wilson had coaching stints from 2015 to 2023 at Woodrow Wilson, Life Oak Cliff and Grapevine Faith.

Wilson “loves challenges”, which is one of the reasons he accepted the head coaching position with the Polytechnic Parrots. Wilson said he wanted to give back to the greater Dallas-Fort Worth community.

“I’m a young man that comes from nothing,” Wilson said. “I come from a troubled background. I wasn’t always what I am now, so I don’t forget where I come from.”

Wilson said he sees himself in the kids he coaches, and added his favorite part about the job is having the ability to make an impact on the young athlete’s lives.

“They just need someone to come along that is willing to give them a chance,” Wilson said. “And that’s why I chose Poly, and I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”

Wilson, 38, went to Terrell High School, where he was named the District 16-4A Defensive Player of the Year.

“[The Dallas-Fort Worth] area gave me my start,” Wilson said. “I have to pay it forward and I have to give it all back. ... This area is a hotbed for talent. I was blessed to come out of this hotbed, and so my job is to keep it hot. So I’m just trying to add more flames to the fire.”

After high school, Wilson played at Baylor from 2003 to 2006. In 2005 and 2006, Wilson was an All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention.

In the 2007 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected Wilson with the 226th pick.

Putting life in perspective

On Saturday, Aug 21, 2010, C.J. Wilson and the Panthers were preparing to play the New York Jets in a preseason game. During the contest, Wilson took a hard hit.

“I remember not being able to move anything but my neck,” Wilson said. “Because my head went face first into the ground.”

Wilson was temporarily paralyzed. He couldn’t move for two days and had trouble with memory; he said he had to remember how to do simple things again, such as retrieving the desired food out of the refrigerator.

Wilson made a quick, full recovery and said he wanted to finish his career on his terms.

“There’s people that have been through way worse than me,” Wilson said. “I’ve never been an excuse maker. I was blessed to gain all [the movement] back. So, I just kept going.”

Wilson said Stephen Jones, Dallas Cowboy’s executive and son of owner Jerry Jones, gave him the opportunity to retire a Cowboy; Wilson spent 2011 as a member of the practice squad.

“They gave me the opportunity to retire in front of my mom,” Wilson said. “And that’s all I wanted. I was really done in Carolina. I wanted to finish up right where I started.”

Wilson was asked to take on a mentorship role. During 2011, Wilson said he developed relationships with former tight end Jason Witten, running back Phillip Tanner and outside linebacker Victor Butler; all three went on to coach high school football.

“I got a lot of brothers that I met as a Cowboy,” Wilson said. “I’ll forever be indebted to the Cowboys. I’ll never forget that experience, and I’m forever grateful.”

Wilson’s culture change

When Wilson took over at Polytechnic, he said he worked on implementing a culture change. This change, however, had little to do with performance on the football field.

Wilson said he urges kids to be respectful, dress appropriately and train diligently. Wilson added the winning will “take care of itself”, given the culture shift.

“When he’s done playing football, I know he’ll be a better man, a better citizen, a better father, a better husband,” Wilson said.

Even though the season hasn’t started, Wilson said Parrot football has had a successful year.

“We have guys doing chores that have never done chores before,” Wilson said. “We got guys that are actually picking up trash. I haven’t heard a curse word out of them. Guys saying ‘No ma’am. Yes sir’.”

In summer workouts, 40 students are arriving at 6:30 a.m. to train and prepare. According to Wilson, it’s a drastic improvement in numbers.

“I won’t be surprised at what [Fort Worth Polytechnic] does this year,” Wilson said. “Other people might because of the struggle last year.”

Regardless of the results on the field, Wilson said he’ll be there for the development of the kids.

“They just need someone to hear them and listen to them,” Wilson said. “That’s what breeds success.”