Wilkes interviews for Chargers head coaching job

Wilkes has completed an interview for the Chargers head coaching job, originally featured on NBC Sports Bay Area.

Steve Wilkes has completed interviews for the Los Angeles Chargers’ vacant head coaching position, the club announced Saturday morning.

Wilkes is in his first season as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. He spent the 2018 season as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and finished the 2022 season as the interim coach of the Carolina Panthers.

Wilkes, 54, replaces DeMeco Ryans on Kyle Shanahan’s staff. Ryans was hired as the head coach of the Houston Texans last season.

Things have not gone well for Wilkes, who has come under intense scrutiny this season as the 49ers enter their bye week on a three-game losing streak. “The beginning of the year has been stressful,” 49ers quarterback Nick Bosa said. “It seemed like everyone was following him. But I felt it a little because in football it is never one person’s fault.

“I’m glad things have calmed down a bit and we’ve got the recipe figured out, so all we have to do is upgrade and fly when the time comes.”

The 49ers finished the regular season with a 12-5 record and a top playoff spot in the NFC. San Francisco is one week away from the playoff round at Levi’s on Saturday, January 20th or Sunday, January 20th. 21.

San Francisco’s defense had an NFL-leading 22 interceptions this season, and Wilkes played a key role in Charvarius Ward earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors. The 49ers’ defense ranks third in the NFL in points allowed (17.5 per game) and eighth in yards allowed (303.9).

Wilks is the fifth Chargers prospect to participate in the first round of interviews. The organization also interviewed Giff Smith, who served as the team’s interim coach the last three games after Brandon Staley was fired. Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore; Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham; Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.