Defensive Coordinator - Steve Wilks

Great, go Wilks. Tanner Engstrand could be our OC. I think he was the passing coordinator for Johnson, and they sure done great in that area.

 

I'm not so sure about this one, he doesn't exactly have a great track record as a DC, he definitely has experience.

 

Steve Wilks it is. I like it.

 

I am honestly not a fan of this hire, there is a reason that 49ers fired him after his defense choked a 10 point lead and lost against the Chiefs in the Superbowl

 

I wonder. He coached the defense that got them to the Super Bowl. We haven’t sniffed the playoffs. If I recall, many were surprised he got fired. For now, if he’s good enough for AG, I’m willing to see what happens. Cautiously optimistic.

 

Wilks also has HC experience. That could be very important for Glenn in the beginning as he adjusts and gets comfortable to the new job

I wanted to comment on Becton as well. He's a fantastic run blocker, as a G his size should be, but is still horrible in pass protection. He also plays between a stud C and future HOF RT. The Chiefs will no doubt be attacking him come Super Bowl

 

I was really he hired someone with head coaching experience and he did. Passed test number one.

 

Steve Wilks is a good hire to be sure. SF 49ers were #3 in scoring and #5 in DVOA, #1 PFF going to SB two years ago. Last year without him they went to #29 in scoring, #16 in pff (not sure DVOA). Clearly he and Shanahan did not get along, and I remember I was shocked that after SB run, where SF defense didn't do so bad either btw, they fired him. Certainly it didn't help SF, so as long as AG can get along with Wilks, it's a great hire.

I also think Wilks wasn't planning to retain Whitecotton, because otherwise we did not have to let him go to Cowboys as this was not a promotion but a lateral move, which we could have blocked. I know Whitecotton was popular for the work he did in 2022 and 2023, but our DL as a unit was awful last year. Now, talent was a part of it to be sure, which JD totally fucked up, so I think he is a solid guy, but still I do think it is possible Wilks can find someone even better and looks like he wanted to do just that, so I am fine with it.

 

Think how many coaches around the league would be fired using this as a barometer. The Chiefs!?! TEN points? LOL

 

Feel good about Wilks. His 49ers D was good that year. I'm up for up and comers in most coaching roles but some balance is nice and Wilks is that.

I'm also glad they're thinking young and innovative rather than, say Darrell Bevel, or some stale OC with dated concepts that has bounced around the league. Nate Hackett and Downing obviously fit that.
I'd be intrigued with Engstrand or Caley. First time play caller doesn't scare Mr honestly.

Steve Heiden is an interesting choice for OL coach. Not that experience in the role has worked out great for them, but he's a former TE with only one year as an assistant OL coach. But hey, could work out, who knows. Again, rather take a chance on him than some old recycled coach with no NFL experience

 

looks like the jets want to talk to Blough who’s working with Daniels in Washington to join the staff

 

100%. This is offense oriented League now. To hold Mahomes to 19 points, with Shanahan calling plays on offense, they should have won the SB. Shanahan should have won the SB by scoring off the INT early in the second half, or by taking more time off the clock to get a game winning FG in the 4th, or scoring a FG at the end of the 4th after Mahomes tied. Also had a 1st crack in OT. This one was not on Wilks.

Again, this is offense oriented League now, Wilks put SF in position to win again and again and again. Ultimately if you don't take advantage of it, Mahomes will put you away. I think we are lucky Shanahan made him a scapegoat, when it was Shanahan himself who fucked up. And you can see how his defense went from #3 to #29 in scoring this season without Wilks. His loss is AG's gain.

 

Wilks and Shanahan didn't get along. It was a personality thing

 

It was reported on extensively here in the Bay Area. A LOT of folks were shocked.

Wilks was also given a raw deal in Carolina, too. As is usual, with the Jets, the defense is less of a concern than the offense, again, and THAT is what will make or break Glenn's tenure.

 

Wish him luck. Now onto OC.