- By Dan Becker
- news@profootballtechs.com
Steve Wilks last season won over the Carolina Panthers locker room as their interim head coach. He led them to a 6-6 record after they fired Matt Ruhle. Wilks, however was passed over for the head coaching position in favor of Frank Reich.
Wilks now has a new job for 2023.
The San Francisco 49ers have hired Wilks as their defensive coordinator replacing DeMeco Ryans, who left to become head coach of the Houston Texans.
Wilks will be a strong leader in the locker room for the 49ers. Schuyler Callihan, who covers the Carolina Panthers on AllPanther FanNation said to SI.com of Wilks, The team embraced his mentality and rallied around him playing as if they had something to prove.”
Wilks, will be able to work with likes of Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead and hope to continue Ryans success with a defense that held opposing offenses to an average of 16.3 points per game last season.
Wilks will also hope to follow in both Ryans and former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and get another chance as a head coach.
Wilks was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 going 3-13.