The San Francisco 49ers have made a significant coaching change following their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been fired by head coach Kyle Shanahan, just three days after the big game.
Shanahan made the difficult decision in the hopes of finding a coordinator who would be a better fit for the team's defensive talent. Although it was a decision he didn't want to make, Shanahan felt it was necessary for the organization's best interest.
Wilks was brought in by Shanahan last season after the departure of DeMeco Ryans, who took on the role of head coach in Houston. Ryans had played a pivotal role in San Francisco's top-ranked defense in the 2022 season. Shanahan wanted to maintain the same successful defensive system, but Wilks faced the challenge of adding his own touch to an unfamiliar scheme.
The results of Wilks' tenure were mixed during the regular season. After a three-game losing streak in October, he was forced to move from the booth to the field. The defense's production did slightly drop during this period.
However, the true issues emerged during the playoffs. The run defense was exposed by the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions in the first two playoff games, leading to questions about the effort given by coaches and players. Ultimately, the defense came up short against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, allowing crucial touchdowns and field goals in the final stretch of the game.
One particular comment after the game stood out, as defensive end Nick Bosa admitted that the team was unprepared for Mahomes' key runs that resulted in first downs during the game-winning drive.
A major factor in the decision to let go of Wilks was the struggle to connect the secondary with the front seven of the defense. Shanahan highlighted the difficulty in tying together the different aspects of the defense due to Wilks' background in the secondary, whereas the previous coordinators had been linebackers coaches.
Moving forward, Shanahan will be searching for a replacement. He mentioned considering both internal and external candidates. While he is open to the possibility of a coordinator who could introduce a new system, Shanahan believes that the current system is probably the best fit for the current roster.
The 49ers will also be facing additional coaching changes on their staff, as at least four coaches have been hired by other teams. Passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak will be the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, running backs coach Anthony Lynn will serve as the run game coordinator for the Washington Football Team, assistant defensive line coach Darryl Tapp will take over as the defensive line coach in Washington, and assistant offensive line coach James Cregg will become the offensive line coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 49ers will look to regroup and make the necessary adjustments during the offseason to strengthen their defense. With an abundance of talent and a highly respected coaching staff, the organization remains determined to get back to the Super Bowl and bring home another championship.
Source: AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
