Former Panthers coach returns to NFL in new role

A former Carolina Panthers coach (and fan favorite) is back in the NFL. According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, the Washington Commanders have hired Steve Wilks to work alongside the team's defensive coaches. Per Garafolo, the decision to bring Wilks on was made last month. Wilks, a Charlott

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What is the story about?

A former Carolina Panthers coach (and fan favorite) is back in the NFL.

According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, the Washington Commanders have hired Steve Wilks to work alongside the team's defensive coaches. Per Garafolo, the decision to bring Wilks on was made last month.

Wilks, a Charlotte, N.C. native, spent a pair of stints with the Panthers. His first spanned from 2012 to 2017—where he served as the defensive backs coach, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.

The second run, which he began as the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach in 2022, saw Wilks take over for Matt Rhule as the team's interim head coach. He'd lead Carolina to a 6-6 record to close out the campaign.

Since then, Wilks has picked up stops

as a defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers (2023) and New York Jets (2024). He's also worked as a special assistant to athletics at Appalachian State University.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Former Panthers coach returns to NFL in new role