Steve Wilks

Steve Wilks
	Wilks with the New York Jets in 2025
Personal information
Born	August 8, 1969; Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Career information
Position	Defensive back
High school	West Charlotte
College	Appalachian State (1987–1991)
Career history
Playing
	Charlotte Rage (1993);
Coaching
	Johnson C. Smith (1995–1996); Defensive coordinator; Savannah State (1997–1998); Defensive coordinator; Savannah State (1999); Head coach; Illinois State (2000); Defensive backs coach; Appalachian State (2001); Defensive backs coach; East Tennessee State (2002); Defensive coordinator; Bowling Green (2003); Defensive backs coach; Notre Dame (2004); Defensive backs coach; Washington (2005); Secondary coach; Chicago Bears (2006–2008); Defensive backs coach; San Diego Chargers (2009–2011); Defensive backs coach; Carolina Panthers (2012–2014); Defensive backs coach; Carolina Panthers (2015–2016); Assistant head coach & defensive backs coach; Carolina Panthers (2017); Assistant head coach & defensive coordinator; Arizona Cardinals (2018); Head coach; Cleveland Browns (2019); Defensive coordinator; Missouri (2021); Defensive coordinator; Carolina Panthers (2022); Defensive passing game coordinator & secondary coach; Carolina Panthers (2022); Interim head coach; San Francisco 49ers (2023); Defensive coordinator; Charlotte (2024); Volunteer advisor; New York Jets (2025); Defensive coordinator;
Head coaching record
Regular season	NCAA: 5–6 (.455); NFL: 9–19 (.321)
	Coaching profile at Pro Football Reference

Steven Bernard Wilks (born August 8, 1969) is an American professional football coach who was most recently the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). A defensive assistant for most of his career, he was the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the Carolina Panthers when they reached Super Bowl 50 and the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers when they reached Super Bowl LVIII. Wilks was also the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 and the interim head coach of the Panthers in 2022.