Kyle Shanahan has removed Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator. Shanahan informed the media on Wednesday afternoon that Wilks will not return to the 49ers in 2024.
Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, talked to the media Wednesday afternoon, saying that after resting on the decision, he notified defensive coordinator Steve Wilks on Wednesday morning that Wilks would not return as defensive coordinator in 2024.
Shanahan stated that he will look at people both inside and outside the facility. He stated that he would like to keep the system that the players have been using in previous years because it is what they have grown accustomed to, but that he is open to trying something new if it makes sense:
“I’m committed to identifying what we believe will offer the Niners the best shot in 2024. I am not closed-minded in any manner.”
Shanahan stated that one of the most significant concerns with Wilks was that he was so devoted to running his style, which was not what Shanahan desired, that it made it tough to change.
More on Wilks: “He’s an excellent football coach.” Just where we’re heading, and where we are as a team. Looking through it, this was the finest decision for our organisation. This was something that I needed to do. I didn’t tell you yesterday because I wasn’t sure about it. “But I am now.”
You can’t watch the Super Bowl and come away thinking that Wilks is a bad coach. He did everything possible to put the 49ers in a position to win. Ultimately, though, it wasn’t good enough.
Now, it’s about finding the right leader:
“When you have some good players who have played at a high level, I’m not just trying to change that. I have to make sure that I find the right person of leading our group.”
That leader better know how to marry the front seven and secondary. When asked if that was a struggle, Shanahan did not shy away from it:
“It has to do with the way we play linebacker and stuff like that—the way Fred and Dre have done it over the years. You want to tie things together. Just with his background, it was harder than it needed to be.”
You could see the writing on the wall during the season. Wilks moved from the booth to the sideline mid-season. The run defense was consistently porous — something this unit has been able to hang its hat on for years. The effort in the NFC Championship was abysmal on a handful of plays. That cannot happen at any level at any time, let alone in the NFC Championship. The final straw was when Shanahan called a timeout in a two-minute situation after surrendering multiple first downs.
Most of Wilks’ in-season press conferences were awkward, and he often apologized for something from the week prior. It’s tough to ignore the disconnect that stared us in the face all season.
Shanahan wouldn’t rule out any in-house replacement like defensive passing game, and nickels coach Nick Sorensen. But if he’s open to someone with more experience and a top-tier resume, a guy like Mike Vrabel should be at the top of the list. It’ll be fascinating to see the direction Shanahan chooses to go, as it’s bound to be the opposite of what he dealt with this past season.
