Steve Wilks, who has served as Secondary/Passing Defense Coordinator since 2012, has been promoted to assistant head coach, the Carolina Panthers announced Monday.
Wilks’ secondary has played a key role for the Panthers, as Carolina is one of three teams to produce a Top 10 defense in each of the last three seasons (2012-14), joining San Francisco and Seattle.
In 2014, the Panthers finished 10th in total defense and 11th against the pass as Wilks’ led a defensive backfield that received major contributions from three young players – third-year cornerback Josh Norman, rookie cornerback Bené Benwikere and rookie safety Tre Boston – along with nine-year veteran Roman Harper. Harper produced a career-high four interceptions while Norman recorded career highs in interceptions (2), passes defensed (11), forced fumbles (1) and fumble recoveries (1). Boston and Benwikere started the final four games of the season, helping the Panthers rank sixth against the pass during that time.
In 2013, Wilks directed a unit that helped the Panthers finish second in the NFL in total defense and sixth in passing defense. Defensive backs were responsible for 16 of the team’s 20 interceptions, including a team-record four returned for touchdowns. Carolina also limited opponents to an 81.4 passer rating, which ranked 10th in the NFL.
In 2012, his first season with Carolina, Wilks guided a Panthers pass defense that improved from 24th in 2011 to 13th en route to an overall ranking of 10th in the NFL in total defense. The secondary propelled the Panthers to a first-place finish in the NFL in average yards after catch, allowed the third fewest pass plays of 20-or-more yards in the league and returned three interceptions for touchdowns.
Wilks came to Carolina after three seasons (2009-11) as secondary coach for the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers’ pass defense vastly improved under Wilks’ guidance. Prior to his arrival, San Diego ranked 31st in the NFL against the pass but jumped to 11th in 2009, first 2010 and 13th in 2011. He had assistant head coach duties for the Chargers in 2011.
He came to San Diego following three seasons as defensive backs coach for the Chicago Bears. From 2006-08, Wilks’ defensive backs accounted for 42 of the team’s 62 interceptions, including 16 in 2006 when Chicago led the NFL with 44 takeaways, won the NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XLI.
Before joining the Bears, Wilks coached 11 seasons on the college level, working at Johnson C. Smith (1995-96), Savannah State (1997-99; head coach in 1999), Illinois State (2000), Appalachian State (2001), East Tennessee State (2002), Bowling Green (2003), Notre Dame (2004) and Washington (2005).
A Charlotte native, Wilks played at West Charlotte High School and Appalachian State.
