Wilks ‘not defeated’ over Panthers snub
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks is “disappointed, but not defeated” that he didn’t land the team’s full-time head coaching position.
The Panthers announced on Thursday they’ve agreed to hire Frank Reich as their coach.
“The sun rose this morning and by the grace of God so did I,” Wilks tweeted Friday. “Many people aren’t built for this but I know what it means to persevere and see it through.”
Wilks thanked players, coaches and staff for their dedication, saying he took pride in representing his hometown of Charlotte.
Wilks added, “I do wish Frank Reich the best.”
Wilks’ tweet came less than 24 hours after his attorney Douglas Wigdor blasted the Panthers for their decision not to hire Wilks, who went 6-6 as Carolina’s interim coach in 2022 after replacing the fired Matt Rhule in Week 6.
The Panthers interviewed Wilks, who is Black, twice for the position before settling on Reich, who is white.
“We are shocked and disturbed that after the incredible job Coach Wilks did as the interim coach, including bringing the team back into playoff contention and garnering the support of the players and fans, that he was passed over for the head coach position by (Panthers owner) David Tepper,” Wigdor said in an email. “There is a legitimate race problem in the NFL, and we can assure you that we will have more to say in the coming days.”
The Associated Press reached out to Wigdor’s office Friday to ask if it planned more legal action.
“We do not have another comment at this time other than what we posted,” spokeswoman Courtney Cormican said.
The Panthers said the team will have its first public remarks when Reich is introduced at a news conference on Tuesday.
Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes finished a full week of practice on his ailing right ankle Friday, and Kansas City coach Andy Reid pronounced his All-pro quarterback ready to go for the AFC championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mahomes sustained a high ankle sprain in the first quarter of last week’s divisional-round win over Jacksonville, returning after halftime to polish off the victory. That sent the Chiefs to their fifth consecutive AFC championship game, where they will face the AFC North champions on Sunday night in a rematch of last year’s overtime loss to the Bengals. “He looks good,” Reid said. “I mean, he’s moving around good. He’s going to go out and play.”
Colts: Jeff Saturday was a fan favorite when he played for Indianapolis. Maybe not so much these days. After going 1-7 as the interim coach and being brought in for a second interview to keep the job next fall, one Colts fan started an online petition to stop Saturday’s candidacy. It had received nearly 3,000 signatures by Thursday night. “We as Colts fans will always love the memories of the SB
XLI team; we love the former players and the people they’ve become, but we don’t want Jeff Saturday as the head coach of this team going forward,” the petition read. “Please hire someone with experience and save your fan base from revolting and losing interest.” Saturday left his job as an ESPN studio analyst in early November to replace the fired Frank Reich. The result: After winning his first game, Saturday lost the last seven in a historically poor showing for an interim coach. The Colts finished 4-12-1 and earned the No. 4 overall draft pick.
Dolphins: Miami quarterback Tua
Tagovailoa remains in the NFL’S concussion protocol and will not participate in the 2023 Pro Bowl, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press. Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his second concussion of the season more than a month ago.
Rams: Los Angeles is hiring former New York Jets offensive coordinator Mike Lafleur, a person with knowledge of the decision told the AP on Friday.
Falcons: Atlanta found its new defensive coordinator from an NFC South rival’s coaching staff by hiring Ryan Nielsen, the former New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator.