Falcons set to interview Steve Wilks for defensive coordinator job next week

Steve Wilks was an obvious name to associate with the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator opening. He’s an experienced coordinator who has served as both a full-time head coach and interim head coach, and he spent a lot of time this summer at Falcons workouts and practices. Even if this did not lead to a job in this time frame, it could be the case for 2025.

Wilks often faced Morris and the Falcons during his time with the Panthers from 2015-17, where he held positions ranging from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator. Wilks then served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals during a disastrous year with a bad quarterback before stopping as defensive coordinator in Cleveland, with Missouri, and then again with Carolina. It was this latter stop where he took over as interim head coach and got a .500 ball out of a terrible Panthers team, including an ugly but scrappy win and a near-win against the Falcons in 2022. After just one year as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, where this team took a small step back from DeMeco Ryans, fired Wilks, then made a big step back in 2024, Wilks volunteered for the Charlotte 49ers college football team this past. season.

In other words, Wilks has extensive experience as a defensive coordinator and has proven himself to be a tough and capable coach in a variety of roles. His work with the Panthers during the 2017 season and his excellent work with the 49ers last year are examples of what he is capable of doing when the talent is there to work with him; a Falcons defense that doesn’t significantly improve talent will still be improved with Wilks because he’s simply a better, more experienced coach than Jimmy Lake. I don’t expect him to perform miracles – he hasn’t in the past with decimated defenses – but in terms of skill and discipline, Wilks should be a good signing.

We’ll see if Wilks is the pick as the Falcons continue to work on their roster, but it’s certainly a pick I would feel comfortable with.