The Washington Commanders have brought in some help for head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, the Commanders are hiring former NFL head coach and longtime defensive coordinator Steve Wilks as an assistant for the rest of the season.
Wilks will not be with Washington on game days, but will assist with game planning from Sunday evening through Wednesday of each week.
Wilks, 57, began his NFL coaching career in 2006 as a defensive backs coach with the Chicago Bears. After three seasons there, he went to San Diego, where he served as the Chargers’ defensive backs coach for three seasons. In 2011, he followed Ron Rivera to the Carolina Panthers, starting as his secondary coach before
becoming defensive coordinator in 2017. In 2018, he was named head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Wilks lasted only one season in Arizona after going 3-13. In 2019, he joined the Cleveland Browns as defensive coordinator and did not coach in 2020. In 2021, he became defensive coordinator for the Missouri Tigers before returning to the NFL in 2022 and rejoining the Panthers as defensive passing game coordinator. However, after head coach Frank Reich was fired after five games, Wilks took over as interim coach and led Carolina to a 6-6 record. Although many supported keeping him, the team did not retain him.
The San Francisco 49ers hired him as the defensive coordinator in 2024, replacing DeMeco Ryans, who left to become head coach of the Houston Texans. The 49ers fired Wilks after one season, when they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
In 2024, Wilks joined the Charlotte 49ers as a volunteer adviser for one season. In 2025, the New York Jets hired Wilks as the defensive coordinator, but head coach Aaron Glenn fired him in December.
According toBen Standig, the team discussed this agreement before the season, and it was not a reaction to the team’s 1-4-1 start.
The Commanders are coming off a 23-17 loss to the undefeated 49ers. After allowing 303 total yards in the first half, Washington allowed only 72 in the second half. While the Commanders have been solid against the run this season, the pass defense has struggled. Wilks reportedly began with the Commanders last week.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders hire former NFL head coach to assist with defensive staff
