Wilson lived in Greenville, Texas but moved to Commerce, Texas, where he was a standout at quarterback and punter at Commerce High School. Wilson played college football at East Texas State University where he majored in business management. Wilson was drafted in the eighth round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He was a one time Pro Bowler with the Vikings in 1988 and finished his career completing 1,391 passes on 2,428 attempts for 17,283 yards and 99 touchdowns. Wilson led the Vikings to three playoff appearances in the late 80s. The Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game in 1987 after a tremendous upset of the 13-2 San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, but finally succumbed 17-10 to the eventual Super Bowl XXII champion Washington Redskins. In 1993 he directed the Saints to a 5-0 start but the team only won three more to finish 8-8 Wilson's last season as a starter.
Coaching career
Wilson was the Chicago Bears quarterback coach from 2004 until February 22, 2007, when he re-signed with the Cowboys, for whom he was quarterback coach from 2000 to 2002.