The Jets have officially named their new defensive coordinator as Aaron Glenn continues to fill out his staff in New York.
The first-time head coach, who last served as the Lions’ defensive coordinator, brought Tanner Engstrand over from Detroit to serve as Gang Green’s offensive coordinator.
And on Saturday, the Jets announced that Steve Wilks had been tapped to lead the team’s defense.
Wilks’ most recent NFL job came in the 2023 season, as he was the defensive coordinator for a 49ers team that reached the Super Bowl.
He’s also served as the defensive coordinator of the Panthers and Browns, and spent one year as the head coach of the Cardinals.
Wilks was also the interim coach for the Panthers in 2022 for 12 games.
Steve Wilks has been named by the Jets as the team’s new defensive coordinator
Head coach Aaron Glenn said at his introductory press conference that he wouldn’t call plays on defense
As pointed out on the Jets’ website, Wilks’ 49ers defense was tied for first in interceptions and third in scoring and rush defense in 2023.
Glenn said in his introductory press conference that he would not call the plays on defense.
‘I want to be the best head coach you can find,’ he said. ‘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.’
Wilks was most recently a volunteer advisor for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s football team during the 2024 season.
With Aaron Rodgers under center for the full season, the Jets had a hugely disappointing 5-12 season as both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas lost their jobs.
Aside from their usual AFC East foes, the Jets will play the Broncos, Steelers, Ravens and Buccaneers next season – all of whom made the playoffs.
