Dakota "Flash" Wilson was named Ouachita Baptist University’s Director of Athletic Performance in June 2024 after nearly a decade of involvement with Tiger Athletics in multiple roles. A former offensive lineman for Ouachita football, Wilson lettered in 2014 and 2015 before transitioning into football operations in 2016, where he assisted with logistics, player development, and served as a student coach.
From 2019–2024, Wilson served as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for football as well as the program’s Director of Equipment and Facilities. During this time, he designed and implemented year-round performance programming, oversaw facility scheduling, and played a significant role in improving athlete readiness and reducing injury rates across multiple Ouachita athletics programs. He also developed the Football Nutrition Center, supervised dietetic assistants, and established undergraduate internship pathways.
The foundation for the university’s first unified Athletic Performance Department began taking shape as Wilson expanded his coaching responsibilities to assist several sports during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons. Now overseeing strength and conditioning, nutrition integration, performance development, and continuing to serve as the Football NFL liaison, he and his staff support all 18 NCAA Division II teams with the goal of elevating athlete performance on the field, court, track, mat, and in the pool.
Wilson is originally from Sherwood, Arkansas. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Ouachita in 2018 and later completed a master’s certificate from Southern Arkansas University in 2022. He holds multiple professional credentials, including NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), CSCCa Strength & Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC), and CSCCa Approved Mentor Coach. He also maintains certifications in Reflexive Performance Reset and Mental Conditioning and Leadership.
Dakota and his wife, Samantha, reside in Arkadelphia and remain deeply connected to the Ouachita community.
