BREAKING NEWS: 49ers has suspended their defensive coordinator for…

Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday that he has fired Steve Wilks after one season, marking his fourth

defensive coordinator in five years.

Wilks was hired a year ago to replace DeMeco Ryans, who departed to become the Houston Texans’ coach after

serving as defensive coordinator for two seasons. Ryans took over for Robert Saleh, who was Shanahan’s inaugural

defensive coordinator and had recently completed his third season as coach of the New York Jets.

“Once I realized a different direction was best, it’s what I had to do,” Shanahan told a media conference call an hour

after removing Wilks from his position.

Shanahan stated that the team will evaluate both internal and external candidates, saying that all remaining

defensive assistants will “have a chance,” including Kris Kocurek (defensive line), Daniel Bullocks (secondary),

Johnny Holland (linebackers), and Nick Sorensen (pass-game specialist).

Wilks joined after going 6-6 as interim coach for the Carolina Panthers, after being promoted from defensive pass-

game specialist. His tenure with the 49ers appeared to be in peril by midseason, when Shanahan ordered him to

transfer from the coaches’ booth to the sideline following a three-game losing run.

Wilks was fired three days after Super Bowl LVIII, in which the 49ers allowed a game-winning touchdown drive in

overtime of their 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.