Steve Wilks, 49ers defensive coordinator, has seen and heard it all throughout his 17-year NFL coaching tenure.
As a result, he made it obvious on Thursday that he is unfazed by the criticism that has come his way in the midst of San Francisco’s three-game losing skid.
“I can honestly say I’m sort of built for this,” Wilks, in his first season with the Niners, said. “Not arrogantly, but I’ve always believed there are two things: what you hear and what you listen to.” I hear a lot of outside noise and don’t pay attention to it, for better or worse. I’ve seen it, I’ve been around it, and I can handle it. I’m the newcomer here. That’s all there is to it. I have faith in myself, but more importantly, I have faith in the players and coaches that we will get through this together.”
Wilks will make a tiny modification to his game-day routine against the Jaguars on Sunday as part of his effort to right the ship and return to the defense that helped propel the Niners to a 5-0 start.
After spending the first eight games upstairs, coach Kyle Shanahan revealed Wednesday that Wilks will call defense from the sideline rather than the coaches’ booth. Shanahan and Wilks reached that choice after discussing numerous potential fixes during the team’s bye week.
Wilks does not consider the move to be dramatic because he has previously worked from the sidelines, but he does see one benefit that he believes will be beneficial.
“Just very candidly, I think we’re making a bigger deal out of it than it needs to be,” Wilks said in an interview. “But I just want to be able to communicate with the guys a little bit more during the game.” I’d prefer talk to them directly than engage with coaches about certain things I’m witnessing.”
Wilks would communicate the defensive playcall to linebackers coach Johnny Holland on the sideline in the Niners’ first eight games. Holland would then send the call to defensive lineman Fred Warner, who would relay it to the defensive huddle.
Because of this arrangement, Wilks’ sole direct communication with his players was through the phone put up on the sideline. According to Wilks, this shift allows him to not only directly call plays to Warner, but also to assess what his players are seeing in real time, solicit comments, and adjust accordingly.
“I want to talk to all the guys,” Wilks declared. “I’m sitting here going through the game and trying to call things, and I’m looking through my call sheet and saying, ‘I’m thinking about this.'” Now I can walk over to the D-line and say, ‘OK, I’m looking to mix things up for the next series.’ It might be with the back seven in terms of pass concepts, and we’re being hurt on a particular route. Again, it’s just a little more direct dialogue from me.”
When Wilks arrived in the spring, he stated that one of the reasons he chose to work from above – a departure for the Niners from former coordinators Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans – was because he was too passionate around the players.
Wilks was asked on Thursday if he thought his group needed an injection of such enthusiasm.
“I don’t think that’s part of what they’re missing and what they need,” Wilks said in a statement. “It can be good at times.” “I believe we all feed off of each other.”
The Niners led the NFL in points allowed per game (13.6), yards allowed per game (266.8), and defensive anticipated points added (33.98) through the first five games. They fell to 24th (24), 30th (395.3), and 31st (minus-5.5) in the three games that followed.
The 49ers struggled to stop the run in those three losses, didn’t regularly pressure or sack the quarterback, and failed to tackle consistently.
As a result, players like Warner are keen to point out that the burden for those issues lies on everyone on defense, and that solutions will have to come from everyone as well.
“I think we’ve just got to get back to playing our style,” he remarked. “We’ve always been known for swarming to the ball, imposing our will and dictating to the defense, and that’s something that has been lacking in the last three weeks.” Everyone is looking in the mirror to see what they can improve on, even myself, and that’s what we’re going to attempt to get back to starting this week.”
