The San Francisco 49ers have fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, three days after losing the Super Bowl to the
Kansas City Chiefs.
On Wednesday, coach Kyle Shanahan revealed his decision to move on after one season with Wilks in command of
defense. Shanahan described it as a “very difficult decision,” but said he wanted to find a coordinator who is a better
scheme match for the players on San Francisco’s defense.
“We felt pretty strongly that this was the decision that was best for our organization,” he told reporters. “Even though
it was one I didn’t want to make, it was something that once I realized that a different direction was what’s best for
our organization, it’s something that I have to do.”
Shanahan hired Wilks after losing DeMeco Ryans, who was hired as Houston’s head coach after guiding San
Francisco to the league’s best defense in 2022.
Shanahan wanted to preserve the effective system, while Wilks faced the difficult task of adding his own touches to a
new concept.
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“That was the hardest part. “I knew it would be a challenge,” Shanahan added. “We have committed to not only a
system, but also to the players who have been in it for a long time, such as our D-line and linebackers. It was my
intention not to have to change them all and to bring in Steve, who was fantastic in terms of loyalty and effort.
“It just wasn’t the right fit. It pained to do this, but I had to.
The regular season yielded mixed results. Wilks was forced to shift from the booth to the field after a three-game
losing run in October, and San Francisco’s defensive production decreased slightly throughout the regular season.
However, concerns arose in the playoffs, with the run defense being hammered by Green Bay and Detroit in the first
two games, prompting coaches and players to question the effort put forward. The Niners then struggled defensively
down the stretch against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
