According to Aaron Wilson, the 49ers are looking to interview former Panthers interim HC Steve Wilks for their expected vacancy at defensive coordinator.
Though it hasn’t been officially confirmed, the Texans are widely expected to name 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans as their next head coach, which would open up a spot in San Francisco.
Wilks did an incredible job leading the Panthers to a 6-6 record after he took over early in the season but was passed over for the fulltime head coaching job by the Panthers for Frank Reich.
Wilks, 52, began his NFL coaching career with the Bears as their defensive backs coach back in 2006. He spent two years with the Chargers before following Ron Rivera to Carolina as their defensive backs coach.
The Panthers promoted him to assistant head coach in 2015 and then to defensive coordinator last year after Sean McDermott took the Bills’ job. Wilks agreed to become the Cardinals’ head coach in 2018 but he was fired after one season.
Wilks took over as the Browns’ defensive coordinator in 2019. He was not retained in 2020 under a new staff, though he interviewed for the DC position. Wilks had a stint with Missouri as their defensive coordinator before returning to the NFL with the Panthers this offseason as their secondary coach.
However, he was promoted to interim head coach following the firing of Matt Rhule.
In 2022, Wilks finished with a record of 6-6 with the Panthers.
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