The Carolina Panthers finished the 2024 season with a 5-12 record under Dave Canales. That was a three-win improvement, and the Panthers are looking to continue the positive momentum in 2025.
While that is the focus in Carolina, there has been a ton of movement around the league. On Wednesday, the New York Jets hired Aaron Glenn to become their new head coach. With that being official, Glenn has been looking around to lock in his coaching staff.
One option that has emerged is Steve Wilks. According to Joe Person, Wilks is someone to keep an eye on for the Jets defensive coordinator role.
Keep an eye on Steve Wilks on Aaron Glenn‘s Jets staff as DC, per source and as others have said.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 22, 2025
Panthers News: Steve Wilks Could Become Jets DC Under Aaron Glenn
Wilks immediately became a name linked to the Jets staff after it was announced Glenn became the head coach. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and FoxSports' Jordan Schultz also have said that Wilks is a strong candidate to land in New York.
Among the strong candidates to join Aaron Glenn’s coaching staff with the #Jets is former #AZCardinals head coach and #Panthers interim HC Steve Wilks, as @Connor_J_Hughes mentioned yesterday. Would bring that HC experience to Florham Park alongside Glenn. pic.twitter.com/aqonjGJP7s
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 22, 2025
Sources say Aaron Glenn is already busy assembling his new staff with the #Jets, which includes the following targets:
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 22, 2025
- Steve Wilks as DC
- Mark Brunell
- Chris Banjo as Special Teams coach
- Former Bears interim HC Thomas Brown
- Former Chiefs HC Todd Haley
- Mike Westhoff,… https://t.co/kg66Qv2qet
Wilks had two different stints with the Panthers. From 2012-2017, he held different roles as Defensive backs coach, Assistant head coach, and defensive coordinator. After stops with the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, and the University of Missouri, Wilks returned to Carolina.
In 2022, he was the Defensive passing game coordinator & secondary coach before being named the interim coach after Matt Rhule was fired. He led the Panthers to a 6-6 record but wasn't retained. They decided to make Frank Reich the head coach instead.
Wilks landed as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator in 2023. Under his guidance, San Francisco was top 10 in total defense (303.9), third in run defense (89.7), and had an NFL-high 22 interceptions.
The 55-year-old has a ton of valuable experience that is enticing to Glenn. As a first-time head coach, Glenn wants to have guys around him who could make his life easier. Wilks fits the bill and will likely be in the Big Apple for the 2025 season.
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