Adrian Wilson
Summary
Elevated team performance and operational efficiency at the Arizona Cardinals through strategic planning and process improvement. Expert in team leadership and relationship building, I spearheaded initiatives that enhanced scouting protocols and player evaluations, contributing to significant roster advancements. My tenure is marked by fostering a culture of success and collaboration throughout the football and business side of the sport.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Player Personnel
Carolina Panthers
03.2023 - 06.2024
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives across departments in both Pro Scouting and College Scouting to achieve the goals of the roster.
- Cultivated a high-performance culture within the organization by setting clear expectations for employees at all levels, providing regular feedback, and recognizing achievement.
- Optimized management processes by identifying inefficiencies and implementing strategic solutions that increased overall efficiency.
- Introduced process improvements that reduced operational confusions while maintaining high-quality standards across all departments.
- Enhanced employee engagement and satisfaction through the implementation of comprehensive training programs and performance management systems To further the growth of scouting assistants.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with agents, team scouts of other teams and current players.
- Devised and presented free agency plans, UDFA plans and college drafting insight to General Manager.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Helped create succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
- Mentored younger players and scouts offering guidance on technique, strategy, and principles.
- Provided valuable input during player evaluations, contributing to roster decisions based on performance metrics and potential growth opportunities.
- Developed and maintained close association with various coaches and athletic personnel in the college realm to further our revaluation for incoming players.
- Increased overall team morale through regular social events designed to strengthen interpersonal relationships among Co-workers.
Vice President of Pro Scouting- Interim GM
Arizona Cardinals
03.2021 - 02.2023
- Successfully took over as interim General Manager at the end of the 2022 season.
- Helped manage budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization on the college side to ensure being in lockstep with college scouting.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on the roster once the churn began.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Scouted the entire NFL during Free Agency.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
Director of Pro Scouting
Arizona Cardinals
03.2019 - 03.2021
- Was part of the coaching search that landed Kliff Kingsbury and Vance Joseph.
- Successfully help initiate the proper pieces around Kyler Murray the #1 pick.
- Helped managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization on the college side to ensure being in lockstep with college scouting.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on the roster once the churn began.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Scouted the entire NFL during Free Agency.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
Pro Scout/ College Scout ( National Scout)
Arizona Cardinals
03.2015 - 02.2019
- Helped establish the #1 seed in the NFC with a 13-3 record that ultimately lost in the NFC Championship.
- Developed and maintained network of professional resources to refer coaches and upper management.
- Responsible for advance scouting of opponents in the NFC West along with AFC opponents.
- Developed and delivered presentations to educate coaches on upcoming opponents.
- Developed relationships with other scout members to provide vital intel for Free Agency And incoming college prospects.
- Researched latest industry trends and developments to keep abreast of best practices.
- Assisted with numerous write ups of Free Agents
- Scouted Nationally both Eastern and Western Regions along with the South East as it pertained to my Pro Advance schedule.
- Enhanced team collaboration by organizing group projects and fostering open communication among members.
- Developed strong leadership qualities in scouts through mentoring, coaching, and hands-on experience.
- Improved scouting skills by conducting comprehensive training sessions with more seasoned upper management leaders.
- Learned board set up strategies in both free agency and college scouting.
- Help to provide foundational players on the college side in Kyler Murray, Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Byron Murphy, Zach Allen, Christian Kirk, DJ Humphries, David Johnson, Zeke Turner, Dennis Gardeck, Haason Reddick, Markus Golden, Chase Edmonds, Trent Sherfield.
Education
No Degree - Parks, Recreation, And Leisure
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC06.2002
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Relationship Building
- Decision-Making
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Strategic Planning
- Process Improvement
- Staff Development
Accomplishments
- 3rd round Draft Pick (64) 2001 NFL Draft
- Served as a team captain for 7 seasons as a player for the Arizona Cardinals from 2001-2012.
- 5x Pro Bowler and 3x All Pro( 2006, 2008 2nd team and 2009 1st team).
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor 2015
- Arizona Sports Hall of Fame
- Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame
- All ACC 2nd Team (2000)
Timeline
Vice President of Player Personnel
Carolina Panthers
03.2023 - 06.2024
Vice President of Pro Scouting- Interim GM
Arizona Cardinals
03.2021 - 02.2023
Director of Pro Scouting
Arizona Cardinals
03.2019 - 03.2021
Pro Scout/ College Scout ( National Scout)
Arizona Cardinals
03.2015 - 02.2019
No Degree - Parks, Recreation, And Leisure
North Carolina State University
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