Well, it looks like Steve Wilks is going to have some company.
During an interview with local radio station KNBR on Thursday, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch revealed that the Carolina Panthers have requested an interview with his team’s defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans. Ryans is now just the second known candidate in the organization’s head-coaching search, joining Wilks, who isn’t predominantly tied to the offensive side of the game.
The former two-time Pro Bowl linebacker and 2006 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year played 10 seasons in the NFL—with his first six coming in Houston and last four in Philadelphia. He recorded 970 combined tackles, 13.5 sacks, seven interceptions and seven forced fumbles over 140 career games.
Ryans made the jump to the sidelines in 2017, as a defensive quality control coach with the 49ers. He’d move on to become the team’s linebackers coach from 2018 to 2020, then was named the defensive coordinator in 2021.
San Francisco has fielded the league’s most daunting defense under Ryans in 2022. The unit allowed the fewest total yards per game (300.6) and the fewest points per game (16.3) while recording the third-most takeaways (30).
The 38-year-old is now the ninth man the Panthers have either interviewed or formally requested to interview for their opening.
