Jets Rumors: Steve Wilks Set to Interview for DC Job on Aaron Glenn's Staff

One of Aaron Glenn's top targets for his coaching staff with the New York Jets will have a formal interview with the club.

Per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will meet with the Jets about their defensive coordinator position on Wednesday.

After Glenn was confirmed to be the Jets' choice as their new head coach, Schultz reported on Jan. 22 that Wilks was believed to be a top target for defensive coordinator.

Glenn, who spent the past four seasons as defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, confirmed on Monday during his introductory press conference that he won't be calling defensive plays in 2025:

"I want to be the best head coach you can find. For me to do that, I think I need to manage the game, so I'll have my OC and my DC, those guys will be calling the plays. When it comes to staffing, that's a work in progress. I'm looking for the best coaches that are going to help us succeed. And I do believe coaches are the start of your culture. So every coach will be looked at to make sure they can bring that. I've always taught that it's not coachability, it's compatibility. I want to make sure the coaches we bring in are compatible."

Wilks will be the second defensive coordinator candidate the Jets interview on Wednesday. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported they are also meeting with former Tennessee Titans defensive backs coach Chris Harris.

The 55-year-old Wilks spent 2024 in college as a volunteer advisor for Charlotte's football team. His most recent job in the NFL was as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season.

Wilks has an extensive resume dating back to 1995 when he entered the coaching ranks as a defensive coordinator at Johnson C. Smith. He spent 11 seasons in college before breaking into the NFL in 2006 with the Chicago Bears as their defensive backs coach.

In addition to his work as an assistant coach, Wilks has 28 games of experience as a head coach in the NFL. He went 3-13 in his lone season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, then went 6-6 as interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers in 2022.

The Jets defense took a significant step back in 2024 from where they had been the previous two years. They ranked 20th in points allowed and gave up more than 20 points in 11 of 17 games. They only had 15 games allowing more than 20 points in 2022 and 2023 combined.