After their Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers have decided to make a change at defensive coordinator, parting ways with Steve Wilks after just one season on the job.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the decision, stating, “It wasn’t easy. It ended up not being the right fit.” This move comes as a surprise, especially after Shanahan had indicated the day before that he expected the entire coaching staff to return for another season.
Wilks is now on the lookout for his sixth job in seven years. His coaching journey includes a one-year stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, followed by a season as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2019. After taking a year off in 2020, he joined Missouri as its defensive coordinator in the subsequent year. Returning to the NFL in 2022, Wilks became the Carolina Panthers’ defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach, eventually being elevated to interim head coach. He then joined the 49ers coaching staff as their defensive coordinator last offseason.
Shanahan explained that he wanted to maintain the successful defensive system but acknowledged the challenge of integrating Wilks into an existing scheme. The mixed results during the regular season, coupled with playoff struggles, particularly in run defense, contributed to the decision to part ways with Wilks.
Nick Bosa mentioned after the Super Bowl loss that the team was unprepared for certain plays by Patrick Mahomes, indicating coordination challenges between the secondary and front seven. Shanahan expressed his intention to consider both internal and external candidates for the defensive coordinator position, open to the possibility of a new system if deemed beneficial.
In addition to Wilks’ departure, the 49ers will experience several other coaching changes, with at least four coaches being hired away by other teams, including Klint Kubiak, Anthony Lynn, Darryl Tapp, and James Cregg.
