App State hires ex-Panthers coach Steve Wilks in this athletics department role
Steve Wilks is heading back to Boone.
The former Carolina Panthers interim head coach is joining his alma mater as a special assistant to the athletics department, the school announced Thursday. Wilks, who starred for the Mountaineers football program from 1987 to 1991, will work in concert with Director of Athletics Doug Gillin, the football program and development staff in his new role, according to a release.
Wilks, who led the Panthers to a 6-6 record as interim coach in 2022, previously worked as the program’s defensive backs coach in 2001.
The Charlotte native has 30 years of overall coaching experience, including 17 years in the NFL. Wilks spent most of last season as the New York Jets defensive coordinator but was relieved of his duties in December. The West Charlotte High alum worked with the Charlotte 49ers in an advisory role in 2024.
Wilks’ last major college role was as defensive coordinator for Missouri in 2021. That role led to his return to the Panthers in 2022.
During that reunion with Carolina, Wilks replaced former head coach Matt Rhule in the top job after Rhule was fired after five games. Wilks ultimately interviewed for the head coach job with the Panthers in 2023, but the team went with Frank Reich, who posted a 1-10 record before being fired in the middle of his lone season on the job.
Wilks, who served as the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach on the famed 2015 Panthers squad, also served as the Arizona Cardinals head coach during the 2018 season.
