On Saturday, San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers for its head coaching position, according to NFL Reporter, Ian Rapoport. The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley on December 15. Los Angeles could be an exciting destination for a prospective head coach, seeing that the quarterback position is in good shape, with Justin Herbert.
It is also believed that the Chargers will speak with University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh sometime next week. According to Rapoport, Harbaugh "has indicated to associates there's a real possibility he could leave the University of Michigan to become the head coach in Los Angeles." Harbaugh last coached in the NFL in 2014, his final year with the 49ers, and is credited for turning around a San Francisco team that had struggled, going the eight previous seasons without a playoff appearance or a winning record.
Wilks would give the Chargers the leadership at the head coaching position that many believe they have lacked in recent years. Wilks currently leads one of the top defenses in the NFL, despite altering his scheme to fit what the 49ers were already doing. The coach has shown a willingness to adjust and do what is best for the team. For example, following a couple of poor mid-season games by the defense, Wilks moved out of the coach's booth and onto the field so he could better communicate with his players.
In addition, Wilks has been credited for helping a young secondary improve this season. Coming into the 2023 season, many who cover the 49ers believed the cornerback position was the team's weakness. But Wilks and his defensive backs coaches have helped the 49ers' young corners grow, making the defense not as reliant on the pass rush. The 49ers' defense ranks thrid in the NFL in points allowed per game, and eighth in yards allowed per game.
The 49ers' defensive coordinator is also scheduled to meet with the Atlanta Falcons regarding its head coaching vacancy later on Saturday. Matt Barrows, of "The Athletic," reported that Wilks' interview with Los Angeles was held virtually and that his interview with Atlanta will be virtual, as well. The Falcons fired coach Arthur Smith on January 7th.
There is speculation that Atlanta could pursue former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who mutually parted ways with his former team on Thursday. Belichick has suggested he wants to keep coaching. Whether or not that means he will be ready to jump right into a new situation or not remains to be seen.
According to Rapoport, the belief around the league is that Falcons owner Arthur Blank prefers to hire a head coach with experience, rather than hiring a rookie head coach like he did with Smith. Belichick obviously fits that description. So does Wilks, who in addition to being the interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers in 2022, was also the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for one season in 2018.
Many believe Wilks deserves a second chance, as he wasn't dealt the best hand in Arizona. He was given only one season. Then, in 2022, when Carolina fired coach Matt Rhule, Wilks was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season. He finished the season strongly enough that some believed the Panthers would name him their next head coach. But Carolina went in a different direction, hiring Frank Reich, and then firing him after 11 only games in 2023.
Wilks is the third straight San Francisco defensive coordinator to draw interest from teams looking for a head coach. Robert Saleh was hired by the New York Jets in 2021, while DeMeco Ryans was hired by the Houston Texans in 2023.
For those fans wondering if the 49ers would receive a compensatory draft pick for losing a minority coach, as they did with Saleh and Ryans, they would not. For the 49ers to be compensated, Wilks would have to have been with the team for at least two seasons. He has only been in San Francisco for one season.
