The Atlanta Falcons have met with six candidates for their defensive coordinator vacancy, interviewing former NFL head coach Steve Wilks and Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown on Friday.
Wilks is an experienced play-caller who most recently served as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers during their Super Bowl run in 2023. The 55-year-old has been a head coach for two different teams. He coached the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 and was named interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
Despite going 6-6 over the final 12 games, the Panthers went with Frank Reich for their coaching vacancy in 2023. Wilkes previously coached the Panthers in various defensive roles from 2012 to 2017 before being named head coach of the Cardinals in 2018.
Who have Atlanta Falcons interviewed for defensive coordinator opening?
- Wink Martindale (Completed 1/14)
- Jeff Ulbrich (Completed 1/15)
- Lou Anarumo (Completed 1/16)
- Derrick Ansley (Completed 1/16)
- Grady Brown (Completed 1/17)
- Steve Wilks (Completed 1/17)
Brown joined Pittsburgh’s coaching staff in 2021 after spending one season at Old Dominion as the co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach. The Steelers allowed just 20.4 points per game and 228 passing yards per game last season. The team recorded 17 interceptions and 40 sacks.
The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake following a disappointing finish to the 2024 NFL season. With a chance to secure the team’s first division title since 2016, Atlanta went 0-2 and allowed 74 points combined to the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers.
The team also fired defensive line coach Jay Rodgers. Keep up with the latest interview news using our Falcons defensive coordinator tracker.