On the same day in which the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a contract extension with defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, the San Francisco 49ers fired theirs.
In what was his only season as 49ers DC, Steve Wilks led a defense let up 17.5 points per game, a mark which ranked 3rd among all teams during the regular season – and despite struggles through the majority of the post-season, had Patrick Mahomes locked up for most parts of SuperBowl LVIII.
Previously a one-year Head Coach at the Arizona Cardinals – as an interim, Wilks had led the Carolina Panthers to a 6-6 record after Matt Rhule was fired during the 2022 regular season.
However, he was eventually passed over as Head Coach for this year in favour of Frank Reich. Reich, who after a dismal 1-10 start to life in Charlotte, was quickly given his marching orders in November.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Head Coach, Kyle Shanahan said, “I’ve been sleeping on this for a few nights and I’m trying to come up with a few tough decisions. But this morning I relieved Steve Wilks of his duties.”
“Really tough decision because really it says nothing about Steve as a man or as a football coach. He is exactly what we wanted as a man. He is a great football coach. But just where we’re going and where we’re at with our team from a scheme standpoint and things like that, looking through it all throughout the year, through these last few days, I felt pretty strongly that this was the decision that was best for our organization.”
The decision now leaves Wilks without a job, but more importantly for the 49ers, provides a headache as the firing has taken place towards the end of the hiring season.
With the NFL Combine also fast approaching – who are the candidates to replace Wilks?
Asked whether the 49ers would consider promoting someone from inside the building, Shanahan repeated, “We’ll do both. We’ve got some good coaches in here. I’m definitely going to look outside also.”
Defensive line coach, Kris Kocurek, linebackers coach Johnny Holland and Daniel Bullocks, who looks after the defensive backs, have all been noted.
However, Shanahan was keen to keep his cards close to the chest.
“I’m going to talk to all of these guys, but all of them will have a chance.”
“I’m not going to specify anyone in particular this early. But D.B.’s [Daniel Bullocks] done a great job for us here over the years. He’s a coach that I have a lot of respect for.”
As for outside the building, a host big name players failed to secure positions during last month’s coaching round. Bill Belichick is no longer with the Patriots while the Seahawk’s Pete Carroll has also decided to step down into an advisor position in 2024 – and all of this took place while Mike Vrabel was mysteriously let go from the Tennessee Titans.
Would either Belichick or Vrabel agree to drop down to defensive coordinator for the 24’ season? Could a 72-year-old Carroll be enticed to leave a franchise so close to his heart? If so, at what cost?
You would think the 49ers front office would pay the dollars needed. But, slotting in either one of these candidates would surely undermine Shanahan’s value and authority as Head Coach – leaving him constantly looking over his shoulder.
Given that they have just fired one experienced coordinator, an impressive start to next season might be overly credited to this hire should it happen.
Conversely, should the 49ers show any sign of faltering, all of the blame will be swiftly dumped at the feet of Shanahan.
While the 49ers don’t have any major pending free agents beyond securing the signing of defensive-end, Chase Young, an element of roster reconstruction will also have to occur.
The offensive-line is currently San Francisco’s biggest weakness and so the front office may decide to spend heavy here. However, John Lynch faces financial confines as the 49ers had initially been projected to be over next year’s salary cap before rolling over unused dollars from 2023.
As a result, he, along with Shanahan, face scope limitations as defensive help is also badly needed at both secondary and cornerback.
All of this now leaves Shanahan on the hot seat. Able to cast doubt over Wilks’ performance, he will not get the same opportunity next year.
Having gone 0-3 in SuperBowl match-ups he has been party too – all of the spotlight now shines on him.
Sportswide Blog 
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