Former Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks was passed over by the franchise for the full-time gig, and now the defensive spirit is taking his talents to San Francisco. Wilks will now end up leading the NFL’s No. 1 defense from last season as the 49ers are set to name him their next defensive coordinator, according to a NFL Media report.
The 49ers were looking for a new defensive front man after former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was hired as new head coach of the Houston Texans last week. San Francisco’s defense was the best unit in the NFL last season, allowing an average of 300.6 total offensive yards per game and just 16.3 points per game. The 49ers were knocked out of the NFC Championship Game playoffs for the second straight season, falling to the Philadelphia Eagles 31-7.
Wilks spent part of last season as defensive passing coordinator and secondary coach for the Panthers before being promoted to interim head coach after Matt Rhule was fired. He quickly transformed Carolina, finishing the season with a 6-6 record and putting the Panthers in contention to win the NFC South at the end of the year.
Wilks conquered the Panthers locker room in his 12 games as interim head coach, although team owner David Tepper chose to hire former Indianapolis Colts head coach and Panthers quarterback Frank Reich. wilks issued a statement on the Panthers’ decision:
“The sun came up this morning and by the grace of God I did too. I’m disappointed but not defeated. A lot of people aren’t cut out for this, but I know what it means to persevere and to go all the way.
“It was an honor for me to coach these men in the Carolina Panthers locker room as interim head coach. Players, coaches and staff, thank you for your hard work and dedication. I was proud to represent Charlotte, a great city that I thank my family, friends and community for your unwavering support.
“I wish Frank Reich the best. I will always be a fan of the Carolina Panthers football team.”
Wilks made his NFL debut as an assistant coach in 2006. After a successful stint with the Panthers as defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2017, he was hired as the Cardinals head coach. from Arizona in 2018, but fired a year after going 3-13. After that season, Wilks served as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, defensive coordinator for the Missouri Tigers, then found his way back to Carolina in 2022.
He’ll have plenty of talent to work with in San Francisco, with Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Fred Warner, Dr. Greenlaw and Charvarius Ward among the top players at his disposal. The 49ers have always sported one of the best defensive units in the NFL, even going through defensive coordinators (Ryans and Robert Saleh were hired for head coaching positions), and that shouldn’t change with Wilks at the rod.
