Wilks inherits this season's top-ranked defense, a unit that features several stars, including defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner. He interviewed with the 49ers on Monday.
The 53-year-old entered the NFL coaching ranks as a defensive backs coach with the Chicago Bears in 2006. The coach later served in the same role with the then-San Diego Chargers (2009-11) before joining the Panthers in 2012. He was promoted to Carolina's assistant head coach and defensive backs coach in 2015 and then to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2017.
Wilks served as the Arizona Cardinals head coach for one season in 2018, followed by one-year defensive coordinator stints with the Cleveland Browns (2019) and the University of Missouri (2021) before rejoining the Panthers as their defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach in 2022.
Wilks took over as Carolina's interim head coach after the firing of head coach Matt Rhule. On January 26, the Panthers hired Frank Reich as their next head coach.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers DE Yetur Gross-Matos named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos has been named the Week 14 NFC Defensive Player of the Week following his standout performance in Sunday's 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears. NFC Players of the Week! (Week 14)@__lobo99 | @bryan_bresee... -
49ers mailbag: What do the 49ers have left in the tank for the last four games? Will SF bring back Robert Saleh? Can Brock Purdy beat good teams?
It's always a big week when the San Francisco 49ers play the Los Angeles Rams. In 2021, the rivalry became even bigger when the 49ers had to win in the season's final week, in Los Angeles, to make it into the playoffs. On Thursday night, the 49ers must win again to keep their... -
49ers vs. Rams injury updates: Ji'Ayir Brown questionable to return
The San Francisco 49ers entered Thursday night's NFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Rams without key players, most notably left tackle Trent Williams, who is sidelined for the fourth straight game with an ankle injury. On defense, standout rookie safety Malik Mustapha... -
Bears D-lineman fined for hit on 49ers QB Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy briefly left last weekend's game against the Chicago Bears after a brutal hit from defensive end Darrell Taylor in the third quarter. Although Purdy returned after missing just one play and appeared to be fine, the NFL deemed Taylor's...