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
-
Nick Sorensen a candidate for 49ers' special teams coordinator; Brandon Staley to interview for defensive coordinatorÂ
During the San Francisco 49ers' end-of-season press conference, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Nick Sorensen would not return as the team's defensive coordinator in 2025. "First of all, it was a real tough decision," Shanahan said. "I love Nick as a person, and I love... -
Report: 49ers expected to offer Robert Saleh defensive coordinator role
Nick Sorensen will not return as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator in 2025, although head coach Kyle Shanahan hopes to retain him in another role on his staff. Meanwhile, the team is closely monitoring former 49ers defensive coordinator and former New York Jets... -
Report: Nick Sorensen will not return as 49ers' defensive coordinator
Just one year after parting ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks following a Super Bowl appearance, the San Francisco 49ers are set to dismiss Wilks' successor, Nick Sorensen, from his role as defensive coordinator. The move comes on the heels of a disappointing six-win... -
No Huddle Podcast: Top Candidates for the 49ers' Next Defensive Coordinator
(Episode 402) — Jason Aponte of Niners Nation joins Brian Renick to discuss the 49ers firing Nick Sorensen, which available candidates are their favorites, who the 49ers should be hiring, whether they should look at the college ranks for a new defensive coordinator,...