The Los Angeles Chargers are wasting no time in finding their next head coach. Steve Wilks was the first of a flurry of requested interviewees that was reported Monday evening. The list includes Detroit Lions coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Wilks’ season with the San Francisco 49ers has likely vaulted him toward the top of the list of many general managers, but the Chargers are the first to request an interview with him.
Steve Wilks Resume
The 49ers defense under Steve Wilks has remained an elite unit, but it has taken a step back from last season. In 2022, the 49ers defense ranked number one in DVOA and EPA/play. This season they slipped to 4th and 10th in those metrics respectively. By traditional stats, they also regressed. They led the league in both points and yards per game. This season they are third and eighth in those respects.
Wilks also served as interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers after Matt Rhule was fired mid-season. They went 6-6 under Wilks. Defensively the Panthers dropped from 13th to 25th in EPA/play during his stint.
Wilks was also the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. The team went 3-13 after drafting Josh Rosen with the top pick in the draft. Offensively, the team finished last or nearly last in all major categories. The defense ranked 20th in EPA/play. The blame for what went wrong in Arizona doesn’t fall entirely on his shoulders, as GM Steve Kiem is implicated in the failure as well.
Wilks has nearly 30 years of coaching experience, working as a defensive backs coach for much of it. He has worked in the NFL since 2005 having worked for Joe Gibbs, Norv Turner, Ron Rivera, and Lovie Smith.
