49ers' Steve Wilks clearly dodged a bullet in missing out on Panthers job
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks had every right to feel aggrieved after missing out on the Carolina Panthers' head coaching job during the offseason. Twelve weeks into the 2023 season, Wilks will likely feel as if he dodged a bullet after the man who beat him to the job, Frank Reich was fired […]
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks had every right to feel aggrieved after missing out on the Carolina Panthers' head coaching job during the offseason.
Twelve weeks into the 2023 season, Wilks will likely feel as if he dodged a bullet after the man who beat him to the job, Frank Reich was fired by Carolina after a 1-10 start.
Wilks was undoubtedly deserving of another shot to lead a team as a full-time head coach, having guided the Panthers to a 6-6 record during his time in interim charge last season following the firing of Matt Rhule.
But a second successive in-season dismissal of a head coach, followed by the firing of several assistants, points to a franchise in disarray under the leadership of a very hands-on owner in David Tepper.
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Wilks is in a better position for missing out on the Panthers job. Despite coming in for criticism during a three-game losing streak prior to the 49ers' bye week, Wilks' decision to replace DeMeco Ryans in running the San Francisco defense is paying dividends.
Indeed, he is getting to oversee a star-studded defense that got even more fearsome following the addition of Chase Young at the trade deadline, and recent results have grown increasingly impressive.
The 49ers have given up only 30 points over the course of the last three games, all of which have ended in double-digit victories. During that spell, the 49ers have allowed the third-fewest yards per game in the NFL (242.7), with Wilks proving his ability to press the right buttons both in the secondary and in the pressure looks he has sent.
Their struggles during the losing streak now seeming a distant memory, the 49ers have allowed the fewest points in the NFL, have the most interceptions (15) and second most takeaways (21). They rank sixth in DVOA on defense and fourth in EPA per play.
If the Niners maintain their defensive performance down the stretch, Wilks should again be in the mix for head coaching interviews during the upcoming hiring cycle. Whether he'll land a job is another matter but, either way, he should be thankful for missing out on a Panthers job that right now looks like a poisoned chalice.
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