Steve Wilks, former Carolina Panthers interim, back in college

Former Carolina Panthers interim head coach and HBCU football coach Steve Wilks is bringing his talents back to his home town.

Wilks has reportedly joined the Charlotte football team in a volunteer advisory role according to head coach Biff Pogi.

“You talk about great wisdom as an advisor — we brought in some experience with him,” Poggi said this week.

He most recently served as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, helping the team make it to the Super Bowl. Despite that success, however, Wilks was not retained.

Steve Wilks has a notable history in coaching, particularly with his involvement in HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) football programs. His coaching career began at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) in 1995, where he not only coached but also took on various responsibilities, including maintaining the field and washing uniforms. This experience at JCSU was foundational and one he often recalls with fondness.

Wilks moved on to Savannah State University, where he served as the defensive coordinator before becoming the head coach in 1999. During his tenure as head coach, Savannah State had a 5-6 record in its final season in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). His time at these HBCUs helped shape his coaching philosophy and leadership style.

Wilks’ career further developed as he took on various roles in the NFL, eventually becoming the interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers in 2022. Despite his successful stint, where he managed to turn around the team’s performance, he was not retained as the permanent head coach, a decision that was met with some criticism from supporters who felt he deserved the role permanently due to his impactful leadership during his interim period.

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