Reports: Chargers request interview with 49ers DC Steve Wilks for HC job

Jan 8, 2024, 4:09 PM

Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks of the San Francisco 49ers looks on in action during a game betwe...

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San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

With the 2023 NFL regular season officially wrapped up, Black Monday brings about interview requests, with Steve Wilks getting his first of 2024.

The San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has reportedly been requested for an interview with the Los Angeles Chargers for their vacant head coach position. This is the first request for Wilks this cycle, as the former HC is getting ready for the playoffs with the 49ers.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo was first with the news Monday.

The #Chargers are requesting to interview #49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for their vacant head coaching job, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Wilks’ Niners defense was third in points allowed, eighth in yards this season after he went 6-6 as #Panthers interim HC.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 8, 2024

Steve Wilks, 54, joined the Red & Gold during the 2023 offseason. After taking the Carolina Panthers to a 6-6 record down the stretch, Wilks was let go by the franchise, deciding to head out West to the 49ers. He took over for DeMeco Ryans, now the head coach of the playoff-bound Houston Texans.

In his first season with the 49ers, Wilks led the defense to third in points allowed, and eighth in yards. SF’s secondary took the biggest leap, finishing tied for first in takeaways (22).

The North Carolina native has served as an NFL HC before, doing so with the Arizona Cardinals. He went 3-13 in his lone season, let go after Week 16’s loss. Wilks is a combined 9-19 as an NFL HC. While the 49ers would love to keep the veteran around, him fielding offers was always in the cards.

You can’t feel this energy and passion from the booth. You can argue the thing that helped turn the season around was DC Steve Wilks moving to the sideline….
🎥: @viktory_09 | #49ers | #Niners pic.twitter.com/jwNmWOccai

— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) January 8, 2024

Steve Wilks joins assistant general manager Adam Peters for job vacancies elsewhere next season. Peters was requested to interview with the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders for prominent front office roles Monday.

Both men have not accepted or declined those requests at this time.