After a roaring introductory press conference, the New York Jets and their fans are ready to write a new chapter. Due to the excitement generated by new head coach Aaron Glenn’s return to the organization, the team is ready for change. General manager Darren Mougey is already at work helping fill out the coaching staff. On Wednesday, the team made a major addition to said staff. New York is hiring a former head coach to lead their defense. This ex-head coach has over 30 years of experience, is respected across the league, and is ready to fill in as the Jets DC.
Jets to Hire Respected Ex-Head Coach as DC
During his introductory press conference, new head coach Aaron Glenn explained he wants to be seen as a CEO-type head coach. While the former Lions defensive coordinator has only coached defense, he also wants an impact on the offense too. In order to fulfill this expectation, he’ll need an experienced defensive coordinator to work with. Fortunately, New York now has that after hiring former head coach Steve Wilks.
The #Jets have agreed to terms with Steve Wilks as their defensive coordinator, per sources.
After sitting out last season, Wilks — a longtime respected assistant and former #Cardinals head coach — now returns as a key figure on Aaron Glenn’s new staff in New York. pic.twitter.com/qfWtWdZU7E
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 29, 2025
With 30 years of experience across college & the NFL, Steve Wilks has had an accomplished career. A former defensive back in college, Wilks debuted in the NFL as a defensive backs coach in 2006 for the NFC Championship Chicago Bears. During two seasons, Wilks worked under veteran head coach Lovie Smith. Afterward, he left for the same position for the Chargers. During that time, he worked under defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Once Rivera was hired as the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2011, Wilks followed him. Back near his hometown in Charlotte, Wilks spent five seasons with the Panthers. In 2017, Rivera promoted Wilks to defensive coordinator, replacing a departing Sean McDermott who became head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
Former head coach Steve Wilks named new Defensive Coordinator
Immediately following the 2017 season, Steve Wilks left the Panthers to accept the head coach job with the Arizona Cardinals. At the time, Wilks’s hiring was significant being only the second black head coach in the organization’s history. (Dennis Green, 2004-06) As a first-time head coach, Wilks had big shoes to fill replacing longtime coach Bruce Arians. Despite Wilks’s best efforts, the Cardinals endured a brutal season that year finishing 3-13. Unfortunately, while other head coaches often get the benefit of the doubt in their first year, Wilks wasn’t given that luxury and was fired on New Year’s Eve. His successor Kliff Kingsbury would go on to select quarterback Kyler Murray first overall in the 2019 draft.
From there, Wilks spent 2019 in Cleveland on Freddie Kitchens staff, serving as the Browns defensive coordinator. Although he wasn’t retained by new head coach Kevin Stefanski in 2020. Eventually, Wilks returned to the Panthers organization in 2022. During that season, head coach Matt Rhule was fired on October 10th. After Rhule’s termination, the organization promoted Wilks to interim head coach. For the remainder of the season, Carolina would finish 6-6 under Wilks’s leadership. Carolina’s turnaround earned Wilks praise both within the locker room and the fanbase. Despite his impressive performance, Wilks was not retained and accepted the defensive coordinator position with the 49ers. Under Wilks’s guidance, San Francisco’s defense finished top three in scoring. Along with Kyle Shanahan’s formidable offense, the 49ers made the Super Bowl where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Back in the league and willing to help
After being let go by the 49ers, Wilks spent last year serving as an advisor for the Charlotte 49ers near his home in North Carolina. Wilks’s experience and coaching pedigree will make him a valued member of Aaron Glenn’s staff. As a rookie, Aaron Glenn is going to be dealing with a lot of changes compared to his previous responsibilities. With this additional responsibility, Wilks will help maintain consistency on defense as Glenn learns the ropes. In addition, Wilks’s reputation around the league could help the front office as well.
This winter, the Jets will have holes to fill in the secondary. With DJ Reed set for free agency, cornerback will be a necessity. One player who New York could target is cornerback Chavarius Ward. When Wilks was in San Francisco, Ward had a career year earning his first All-Pro appearance. Due to Glenn and Wilks’s history of secondaries and playing opposite of star Sauce Gardner, Ward would be a great addition to their defensive backs. No one can understand the microscope in which Aaron Glenn will be judged with more than Steve Wilks. Due to his championship pedigree & previous HC tenures, Wilks can be a valuable resource & confidant for Glenn.
Main Photo: [Mark J. Rebilas] – USA Today Sports
