Wilks issues statement on Panthers hiring Reich: ‘I know what it means to persevere’
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Panthers hire Frank Reich
The search for Carolina’s new head coach ends with the team announcing the hiring of Frank Reich.
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Less than 24 hours after Frank Reich was named the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers, his predecessor — former interim head coach Steve Wilks — released a statement on social media about the decision.
“The sun rose this morning and by grace of God so did I,” Wilks said in a screen-grabbed message posted to Twitter. “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.”
Wilks posted a 6-6 record after taking over for Matt Rhule following a 1-4 start to the campaign. Wilks won more games (six) in his 12-game stint than Rhule won in each of his first two full seasons at the helm (five).
He accomplished that feat even after the team traded superstar running back Christian McCaffrey just one game into his interim tenure.
“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.”
Wilks was one of nine candidates to interview for the head coach job. However, Wilks did not receive a request for any of the other four head coach openings within the league.
Wilks, a Charlotte native, received a second-round interview with Carolina on Tuesday. Reich followed that up with his second round interview on Wednesday.
The decision to hire Reich was made on Thursday. Owner David Tepper called Wilks to break the news that the team was going with Reich, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. According to multiple sources, Tepper’s call was made just before the Panthers announced Reich’s hire.
Reich agreed to a four-year contract, according to a source. He will take over for Wilks and Rhule after going 40-33-1 during his nearly five-year tenure with the Indianapolis Colts. Reich was fired by the Colts in November following a 3-5 start to this past season.
“I do wish Frank Reich all the best,” Wilks continued. “I will always be a fan of the Carolina Panthers Football Team.”
Wilks is part of a class action lawsuit against the NFL which alleges “systemic racial discrimination in the hiring, retention and termination of NFL coaches and executives.” He joined the lawsuit in February of last year, a week before he was re-hired by the Panthers as their defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach.
Following the news of Reich’s hire, Wilks’ attorneys at Wigdor Law tweeted their reaction to the move.
“We are shocked and disturbed that after the incredible job Coach Wilks did as the interim coach, including bringing the team back into Playoff contention and garnering the support of the players and fans, that he was passed over for the Head Coach position by David Tepper,” Wigdor Law’s statement said. “There is a legitimate race problem in the NFL, and we can assure you that we will have more to say in the coming days.”
The Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts are still interviewing for their head coach vacancies. There are multiple defensive coordinator openings around the league as well. Former interim defensive coordinator Al Holcomb, Wilks’ longtime confidante and colleague, interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator opening earlier this month.
This story was originally published January 27, 2023 at 10:25 AM.
