Major Fallback: Due to a persistent miscommunication with the coach, the 49ers have recently terminated the contract of another key player.
Three days after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was let go by the San Francisco 49ers.
After one season with Wilks leading the defense, head coach Kyle Shanahan made the decision to move on public on Wednesday. Although Shanahan described it as a “very difficult decision,” he stated that he still wants to locate a coordinator whose scheme better suits the skill level of San Francisco’s defense.
“We felt pretty strongly that this was the decision that was best for our organization,” he stated. “Even though it was one I didn’t want to make, it was something that once I realized that a different direction was what’s best for our organization, it’s something that I have to do.”
After DeMeco Ryans was hired as head coach in Houston after helping San Francisco field the best defense in the league in 2022, Shanahan brought in Wilks.
Wilks faced the challenging task of attempting to add his own twist to an unfamiliar scheme, while Shanahan wanted to maintain the same system that had proven successful.
“It was the most difficult part. I understood that would be difficult “said Shanahan. “We have dedicated ourselves to not just a system, but also to the players who have played for a very long time in it, including our linebackers and D-line. My intention was to avoid having to make all the changes and instead involve Steve, who was truly amazing in his loyalty and his attempt to help.
However, it turned out not to be the right fit. Although doing this hurt, I had no choice but to.”
During the regular season, the outcomes were inconsistent. After a three-game losing streak in October, Wilks was compelled to switch from the booth to the field, and San Francisco’s defensive output somewhat declined during the regular season.
However, problems surfaced during the playoffs when coaches and players questioned the effort put in after the run defense was thoroughly outclassed by Green Bay and Detroit in the first two games. The Niners then fell short against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the closing moments of the game on defense.
The Niners lost 25-22 in overtime after limiting Kansas City to six points on their first nine possessions in the Super Bowl. On the next four drives, the team gave up two touchdowns and two field goals.
defensive end After the game, Nick Bosa stated that the team was not ready for Mahomes to hold the ball on crucial runs that resulted in first downs on the drive that won the game.
Since the two previous coordinators in San Francisco had coached linebackers, Wilks had experience in the secondary. Shanahan stated that the Niners had trouble this season integrating the secondary with the front seven.
In order to find a replacement, Shanahan stated he will consider both internal and external candidates. He stated that while he is open to considering a coordinator who will implement a new scheme, he thinks the current scheme works best with the players he currently has.
“When you have a group of guys who have played at a high level doing certain things a specific way for a while, I do feel that’s the best thing to do for them,” he stated. “But if I find something that I believe in, that I can be sold on that could be a better avenue, I would never hesitate to do that.”
At least four of the Niners’ current coaching staff will be replaced by new hires from other teams, meaning there will be multiple coaching changes overall.
Assistant offensive line coach James Cregg will take over as offensive line coach in Las Vegas, assistant defensive line coach Darryl Tapp will take over as defensive line coach in Washington, running backs coach Anthony Lynn will become run game coordinator in Washington, and passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak will become offensive coordinator in New Orleans.
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