You won't see an intense Steve Wilks on the sidelines during games as you did with his predecessors, Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans. Wilks plans to be in the coaching box, looking down on the game and communicating with his players from there.
"I try to remove myself from that element during the game so I can get ahead with my call," Wilks recently told San Francisco 49ers team reporter Lindsey Pallares. "So being in the box, which I've been on the field and in the box before, I just feel more calm and relaxed up there."
Wilks brings 27 years of coaching experience to the Niners. Instead of bringing massive changes to the defense, he will try to build upon what was established before his arrival. After all, the coach is inheriting a unit that was the best in the NFL last season.
That doesn't mean Wilks will try to emulate those who came before him. He has a unique style, and the foundation for his leadership style begins with his relationships with his players.
"I always just try to say I was a leader of people, and I think it starts with building relationships," Wilks said. "I think that's the key thing in everything we do in life, being sincere and true, always being honest and upfront. Whether [or not] that individual may like what you say at the moment, they're going to appreciate it in the end because you're always telling them the truth.
"And I think it's great to have, when I say relationship, other things to talk about outside of football. Family is important to me, and I talk to these guys about their families and their relationships away from the game."
The 49ers were a unique opportunity for Wilks. Someone with his resume had options. But the coach fell in love with the team during the interview process. He respected the culture that head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have built over the years.
It doesn't hurt that he inherits a plethora of stars like NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. Of course, the players' dedication to being the best impressed Wilks the most during the 49ers' offseason program.
"Well, I think, number one, you have committed individuals," Wilks said. "As I stated before, there's no egos in that room. It's definitely no ego with me. I'm coming in, trying to embrace what we've done here in the past, which has been a lot of great things. We've been number one.
"And then now, just trying to find ways to implement new things because everybody's still trying to evolve and still grow. And I mentioned that to the guys when I first got here. We're going to learn as if we don't know, trying to experiment with new things but also keeping our foundation."
How does Wilks feel about inheriting such a talented group, including a defensive line that added Javon Hargrave this offseason?
"Very excited," the coach responded. "And my background as a defensive back coach, I've always, I guess you can say, saw the big picture when I started in this game with Lovie Smith, with the Chicago Bears. We started up front with our defensive line, and that was the difference.
"So I learned at an early age it doesn't really matter the talent level that you have on the back if you're not successful up front. And we've made that commitment here."
What can fans expect from the Wilks-coached 49ers defense in 2023 compared to previous seasons?
"Well, I have, number one, a very aggressive personality," Wilks shared. "But I think you have to be selective when you do certain things, whether it's throughout the game or each week. But I don't want to be a defense that's going to sit back and react to the offense. I want to be aggressive and have those guys react to us and sort of dictate the momentum of the game."
