Former Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks expected to join San Francisco 49ers
Former Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks has found a new job.
The San Franciso 49ers plan to hire Wilks as their new defensive coordinator, a league source confirmed to The Observer. NFL Network was first to report Wilks’ impending hire.
Wilks will take over for DeMeco Ryans, who departed San Francisco to become the head coach of the Houston Texans earlier this month. Robert Saleh, Ryans’ predecessor, also secured a head coach job — with the New York Jets — after working under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The 49ers are coming off a run to the NFC Championship Game, and Wilks will inherit the league’s number one defense in both yards and points allowed.
Wilks previously served as a defensive coordinator with the Panthers in 2017 and Cleveland Browns in 2019. His Panthers unit ranked 7th in yards allowed and 11th in points allowed in 2017. In 2019, the Browns ranked 22nd in yards allowed and 20th in points allowed.
Wilks, a longtime NFL defensive backs coach, is known for his work with the secondary.
The 53-year-old coach led the Panthers to a 6-6 record during his interim tenure following the firing of Matt Rhule in October. However, the Panthers decided to hire fellow finalist and former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich as Rhule’s long-term replacement last month.
Wilks issued a statement shortly after the decision was made, wishing the Panthers and Reich success in the future.
“The sun rose this morning and by grace of God so did I,” Wilks said in a screen-grabbed message posted to Twitter on Jan. 27. “I’m disappointed but not defeated. Many people aren’t built for this but I know what it means to persevere and see it through.
“It was an honor for me to coach those men in the Carolina Panthers locker room as the interim head coach,” Wilks’ statement continued. “Players, coaches and staff, thank you for your hard work and dedication. I took pride in representing Charlotte, a great city that I love so much. Thank you to my family, friends and the community for your overwhelming support.
“I do wish Frank Reich all the best. I will always be a fan of the Carolina Panthers Football Team.”
Wilks did not receive interviews for any of the other four head coach vacancies. The 49ers were Wilks’ first reported defensive coordinator interview.
