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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Zeglinski

Why Steve Wilks taking helm of the 49ers’ defense means he’ll be a head coach again soon

Given the relatively bare cupboard of the Carolina Panthers, many people in the football world thought Steve Wilks should’ve stayed on as their head coach after the 2022 season.

For a squad that many pegged to be in line for the No. 1 overall pick, Wilks instead took Carolina to an admirable 6-6 record as their interim coach. Unfortunately for the established defensive mind — who once led the Arizona Cardinals in an impossible situation — he would be passed over for former Indianapolis Colts’ leader Frank Reich.

If Wilks does eventually want to be a head coach again, though, he probably couldn’t have picked a better new job. On Tuesday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, it was revealed Wilks was hired as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator.

Talk about a perfect fit for a monstrous defense that just played in the NFC title game:

Wilks taking the helm of the 49ers’ defense isn’t only significant because he’ll likely keep them playing at a high level. He could soon be the third 49ers’ defensive coordinator in as many years to be a hot head coaching commodity.

After helping San Francisco to Super Bowl 54, Robert Saleh would eventually become the New York Jets head coach. Then, with DeMeco Ryans keeping the 49ers’ dominant defensive gravy train rolling along, the Houston Texans brought him aboard as their main sideline leader.

If all goes well for Wilks with a star-studded defense, it’s not hard to see teams clamoring for his services in one of the next few head coaching cycles. Think about it. If Wilks can make the Panthers look respectable, what will he accomplish with names like likely Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Talanoa Hufanga?

Start penciling Wilks in to be someone’s new head coach by the mid-2020s at the absolute latest.

NFL fans had similar thoughts about Wilks' future head coaching prospects after being hired by the 49ers

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