Johnson C. Smith University and Bank of America Stadium, home of the Panthers, are fewer than two miles apart in downtown Charlotte. But if you’re coaching football at Johnson C. Smith, home of the Golden Bulls, they are worlds apart.
Steve Wilks had a vision, though.
Johnson C. Smith isn’t the lowest rung on the coaching ladder, but you can jump to the ground from there without spraining an ankle. Back when Wilks coached at Johnson C. Smith, 1995-96, assistant football coaches were also groundskeepers, academic advisers, admittance clerks, strength coaches, equipment managers and financial aid counselors.