Two days after introducing Aaron Glenn as their new coach, he has already made an addition to their teaching workers.
Contemplating Glenn is a first-time coach, hiring an skilled coach like Wilks is a wonderful transfer. Wilks has expertise as a defensive coordinator and coach within the NFL and is usually a sounding board for Glenn, who undoubtedly enters territory he has by no means encountered.
Glenn, who was the Lions’ defensive coordinator for 4 seasons earlier than being named the Jets coach, stated on Monday that he is not going to name performs and can depart that to his defensive coordinator.
“I wouldn’t be the best head coach, the best head coach you can find — and in order for me to do that, I think I need to manage the game,” Glenn stated.
“I have my OC and my DC, those guys will be calling the plays. I’m looking for the best coaches that can help us succeed. And I do believe the coaches are the start of your culture. Every coach will be looked at and make sure they can bring that.”
Wilks, 55, has been teaching within the NFL since 2006, when he started his profession because the Bears’ defensive backs coach. He has additionally labored with the Chargers, Panthers, Cardinals, Browns, and 49ers organizations.
Most individuals will bear in mind Wilks from his stops with the Cardinals, Panthers, and 49ers. In 2018, after a profitable stint as Panthers assistant coach and defensive coordinator, Wilks was named the Cardinals’ new coach. However he was fired after one season following a league-worst 3-13 document.
After stints as defensive coordinator with the Browns (2020) and the Missouri Tigers (2021), Wilks returned to the Panthers and have become their defensive coordinator once more in 2022. After Matt Rhule was fired as coach in October 2022, Wilks turned the interim coach for Carolina’s ultimate 12 video games and registered a 6-6 document.
Regardless of his document because the Panthers interim coach, Wilks was not retained, and Carolina employed Frank Reich as its everlasting coach as an alternative. In 2023, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan employed Wilks as their defensive coordinator.
Underneath Wilks, San Francisco’s protection completed eighth in yards (303.9) and third in factors allowed. Nonetheless, he was fired following final 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl loss to the Chiefs.
“It just ended up being not the right fit,” stated 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan after firing Wilks.
“We felt pretty strongly that this was the decision that was best for our organization. Even though it was one I didn’t want to make, it was something that once I realized that a different direction was what’s best for our organization.”
Wilks spent the 2024 season as an advisor for the Charlotte 49ers.
Along with including Wilks, the Jets are additionally engaged on a deal to rent Broncos assistant coach Chris Banjo as their new particular groups coordinator, in keeping with KUSA in Denver. Additionally they have agreed to phrases with Lions tight finish coach Steve Heiden to be their new offensive line coach, in keeping with a supply.
