STEVE WILKS enters his first year with the New York Jets as the team's defensive coordinator, after joining Aaron Glenn's staff in February. Wilks joins the organization with more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 16 at the NFL level, and three Super Bowl appearances.

Wilks most recently served as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers (2023), where he helped lead the unit to 12 wins, tied for the most in the conference, an NFC West title, an NFC Championship title, and an appearance in Super Bowl LVIII. Wilks' unit forced 39 three-and-outs of a possible 174 drives (22.4%), good for the eighth best mark in the NFL. Additionally, under Wilks' lead, the 49ers held opponents to 44 red zone drives, the second best in the NFL, and held opposing quarterbacks to an average passer rating of 79.6, the fourth best in the NFL. Wilks helped four 49er defenders earn Pro Bowl honors, and two earn AP All-Pro honors.

Wilks joined San Francisco after spending the 2022 season with the Carolina Panthers as the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach and later as the team's interim head coach. As the interim head coach, he led Carolina to six wins across their final 12 games, finishing in a tie for second place in the NFC South after opening the season 1-4.

Wilks spent the 2021 season as the defensive coordinator for the University of Missouri after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2019. Under Wilks' direction, the Browns improved from 25th to seventh in passing defense that season, allowing 216.9 passing yards per game and registering 14 interceptions, tied for the eighth-most in the League.

Prior to his time in Cleveland, Wilks served as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2018), where he helped lead a top 10 passing defense in the NFL. Additionally, Wilks helped CB Patrick Peterson earn his eighth-consecutive Pro Bowl selection.

Before earning his head coaching role in Arizona, Wilks spent six seasons (2012-17) in multiple defensive roles with Carolina. He originally joined the staff as the defensive backs coach (2012- 14), leading a unit that finished seventh in passing defense (221.7) during that span. Wilks saw multiple Panthers players record some of their most successful seasons, recording career highs in tackles, interceptions, and passes defensed. During the 2015-2016 seasons, Wilks was awarded additional responsibility, adding assistant head coach to his title.

In 2015, Wilks was part of a coaching staff that helped lead the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance, leading the NFL in interceptions (24) and finishing sixth in scoring defense (19.3). Under Wilks' lead, CB Josh Norman earned First-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection, while DT Kawann Short was named to his first Pro Bowl and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors that season.

During the 2016 season with Carolina, Wilks saw his secondary finish tied for fourth in the NFL in interceptions (17). After his sustained success each season in Carolina, Wilks was named defensive coordinator for the 2017 season. That year, Wilks coached a unit that jumped from 21st to seventh in total defense (317.1), finished third in rushing defense (88.1), and 10th in scoring defense (20.4). Additionally, Wilks helped LB Luke Kuechly achieve First-Team All-Pro honors and earn his fifth-consecutive Pro Bowl selection that season.

Wilks spent the 2009-11 seasons with the San Diego Chargers coaching their defensive backs. Over that span, the Chargers ranked fourth in both total defense (315.1) and passing defense (203.8), and in 2010, led the NFL in total defense (271.6). Wilks saw S Eric Weddle earn All-Pro recognition in back-to-back seasons.

Before his time in San Diego, Wilks served as the defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears from 2006-08. During the 2006 season, Wilks was part of a coaching staff that helped the Bears appear in Super Bowl XLI. Under his lead, the Bears finished second in interceptions (24), third in scoring defense (15.9), and fifth in total defense (294.1) that season.

Prior to coaching in the NFL, Wilks spent 11 years at the collegiate level, coaching defensive backs at the University of Washington (2005), the University of Notre Dame (2004), Bowling Green State University (2003), Appalachian State University (2001), and Illinois State University (2000). Additionally, Wilks served as the defensive coordinator for two different schools: Johnson C. Smith University (1995-96) and Savannah State University (1997-98). Wilks also served one season as head coach at Savannah State University (1999).

A native of Charlotte, NC, Wilks attended Appalachian State University (1987-91) where he earned his bachelor's degree in communications and played defensive back for four years.

After graduating, Wilks attended training camp with the Seattle Seahawks (1992). Wilks and his wife, Marcia, have two daughters, Marissa and Melanni, and a son, Steven James.

FLIGHT PATH

New York Jets | 2025-Present

Offensive Coordinator 2025-Present

University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 2024

Advisor 2024

San Francisco 49ers | 2023

Defensive Coordinator 2023

Carolina Panthers | 2022, 2012-17

Interim Head Coach 2022

Defensive Passing Game Coord./Secondary 2022

Asst. Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator 2017

Asst. Head Coach & DBs 2015-16

Defensive Backs 2012-14

University of Missouri | 2021

Defensive Coordinator 2021

Cleveland Browns | 2019

Defensive Coordinator 2019

Arizona Cardinals | 2018

Head Coach 2018

San Diego Chargers | 2009-11

Defensive Backs 2009-11

Chicago Bears | 2006-08

Defensive Backs 2006-08

University of Washington | 2005

Secondary 2005

University of Notre Dame | 2004

Defensive Backs 2004