Following the San Francisco 49ers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced a significant change to the coaching staff.
In a conference call with reporters just three days after the defeat, Shanahan revealed that the team would be parting ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
Shanahan explained that the decision was made because Wilks ultimately wasn’t the right fit for the organization. This move comes after Wilks’s first season as defensive coordinator in San Francisco, where he replaced DeMeco Ryans, who left to become the head coach of the Houston Texans.
During the regular season, the 49ers defense performed solidly, ranking among the top in points allowed and total yards surrendered. However, their performance in the Super Bowl may have played a role in the decision not to retain Wilks.
As expected, social media chimed in, with some expressing the sentiment that the decision to fire Wilks unfairly pins the blame for the Super Bowl loss on him.
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Following the loss, there were indications that the defense could have been better prepared for key plays, including crucial read option plays by the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes during the game-winning drive in overtime. Shanahan also admitted to using a timeout in overtime because he wasn’t satisfied with the defensive alignment.
While some on social media feel that Wilks is unfairly taking the blame for the team’s shortcomings, the 49ers will now begin the search for their fourth defensive coordinator since 2020.
