He’s in the Cards
Arizona hires Wilks as new head coach
PHOENIX — Steve Wilks is the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, and chances are he won’t tread meekly into his new job.
“Steve’s personality is as an aggressive guy,” said his ex-boss, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera.
Wilks, 48, spent last season as defensive co-ordinator of the Panthers after five seasons as the team’s secondary coach. He has been an NFL assistant for 12 years.
Wilks replaces the colourful and outspoken Bruce Arians, who retired after five seasons and compiled a franchise-record 50 victories.
With the hiring of Wilks, all three major football programs in the state have African-American coaches — Wilks, Herm Edwards at Arizona State and Kevin Sumlin at Arizona. Wilks is the Cardinals’ second African-American coach (Dennis Green was the first) and the only minority candidate to get an NFL head coaching job this hiring cycle.
The Cardinals were 8-8 last season despite a myriad of significant injuries and closed out Arians’ career with a win in Seattle.
“This is not really a rebuild, this is a retool,” Wilks told azcardinals.com. “We have the culture of winning here. We just have to be able to sustain it. It’s all about trying to get to the next level and the consistency you need to get to the next level.”
Patrick Peterson, perennial Pro Bowl cornerback and a leader of the Arizona defence, tweeted simply “I LOVE IT.”
Azcardinals.com released a brief video of Wilks talking to Arizona fans.
“I’d like to introduce myself to the ‘Bird Gang,”’ he said. “This is your head coach Steve Wilks. I’m so excited about building something great here. It’s all about trying to create a commitment to excellence and I can’t wait to see you guys at the Red Sea.”
Wilks was in Arizona for a second interview last week and was interviewed for the Tennessee job, which went to Mike Vrabel. Wilks also coached for 11 years at the collegiate level, including a one-year stint as head coach at Savannah State in 1999.
The Cardinals planned to introduce Wilks as coach at a news conference Tuesday at team headquarters.
Wilks played defensive back at Appalachian State, attended the Seattle Seahawks training camp and played for the Charlotte Rage of the Arena Football League.
He worked his way up through the college assistant coaching ranks with stops at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, Savannah State, Illinois State, Appalachian State, East Tennessee State, Bowling Green, Notre Dame and Washington.
Wilks’ first NFL job was as defensive backs coach of the Chicago Bears. He held a similar job with the San Diego Chargers for three seasons before joining the Panthers staff.
Under Wilks this season, the Panthers ranked seventh in total defence.
Speaking about Wilks last week, his Charlotte players were supportive.
“I think he gets guys to relate to him, get on the same page, get on the same scheme,” defensive end Charles Johnson said. “He comes to work every day and guys respect that. Just his whole personality. His mentality of getting guys to play how you want to play. He’s a good coach for that.”
In an interview last fall, linebacker Luke Kuechly said, “Steve Wilks and all those guys are doing an excellent job of game-planning and putting us in position to be successful and utilizing what we do well. Those coaches listen (to the players).
“They’re not hard-headed. They do a great job with us. They motivate us. They do a good job of making sideline corrections and in-game adjustments. It’s fun to play for them.”
HALEY HEADED TO BROWNS
CLEVELAND — A person familiar with the negotiations says the Browns are hiring former Steelers offensive co-ordinator Todd Haley. Cleveland coach Hue Jackson is turning his offence over to Haley, who spent six seasons in Pittsburgh before he was fired last week, said the person who spoke Monday night to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move.
A former head coach with Kansas City, Haley worked with one of the NFL’s most highpowered offences in Pittsburgh. He’ll inherit one with far less talent, but Cleveland is expected to upgrade its offence in free agency and the draft.
The 50-year-old Haley will assume play-calling duties from Jackson, who is 1-31 with Cleveland.
Haley was criticized following Pittsburgh’s playoff loss to Jacksonville for failing to have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sneak on two fourth-down plays. The Steelers failed to convert and were beaten 45-42.
JONES LEAVES SEAHAWKS
RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks have “mutually parted ways” with defensive assistant coach Travis Jones after five seasons with the team.
The Seahawks announced the decision Monday. Jones served as Seattle’s defensive line coach from 2013-16 and moved into a defensive assistant role with the team for the 2017 season.
Jones, 45, joined Seattle the year the Seahawks won the Super Bowl with the best defence in the NFL. Before joining the Seahawks, Jones spent five seasons as a coach with the New Orleans Saints.
Clint Hurtt was Seattle’s defensive line coach in 2017.
Jones is the fifth member of Seattle’s coaching staff from the 2017 season that will not be returning.