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
-
George Kittle reports to 49ers for offseason program
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle rejoined his teammates in Santa Clara on Friday to participate in the team's offseason program that began earlier in the week. There was speculation that Kittle's absence at the start might be contract-related, as the tight end enters... -
Fred Warner reports to 49ers for offseason workouts
While tight end George Kittle may not be in Santa Clara for the start of the San Francisco 49ers' offseason program, quarterback Brock Purdy has reported in. Both players are working toward contract extensions, and Purdy's presence may signal that talks between him and the team... -
49ers held pre-draft meeting with 334-pound defensive tackle
Justin Melo of The Draft Network added another name to the list of prospects the San Francisco 49ers have virtually met with—Tennessee defensive tackle Elijah Simmons. .@Vol_Football DT Elijah Simmons received good feedback from scouts at the NFL Combine.He's since... -
49ers 2025 Undrafted Free Agent Tracker
With the 2025 NFL Draft now complete, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have shifted their focus to signing undrafted free agents. Although these players went unselected during the draft, they still have a path to the NFL by signing...