The San Francisco 49ers have fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after losing the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Coach Kyle Shanahan made the decision to find a coordinator better suited for the team’s defense.
Despite initial success, issues arose during the playoffs, leading to the decision.
“We felt pretty strongly that this was the decision that was best for our organization,” Shanahan said. “Even though it was one I didn’t want to make, it was something that once I realized that a different direction was what’s best for our organization, it’s something that I have to do.”
“That was the hardest part. I knew that was a challenge,” Shanahan said. “We have committed to not just a system, but the players that have been in the system from our D-line, our linebackers, they played in it for such a long time. It was my goal to not have to change all of them and bring in Steve who was unbelievable and how loyal he was and him trying to do it.
“But it just ended up not being the right fit. It hurt for me to do this but that’s exactly why I had to,” he said.
Shanahan plans to consider both internal and external candidates for the replacement, aiming to maintain the current defensive system but open to change if necessary.
“When you have a group of guys who have played at a high level doing certain things a specific way for a while, I do feel that’s the best thing to do for them,” Shanahan said. “But if I find something that I believe in, that I can be sold on that could be a better avenue, I would never hesitate to do that.”
The team will undergo several coaching changes with four coaches moving to other teams.
Most Popular:
Cause of Death Released For ‘Rocky’ Movie Star
Supreme Court Audio Suggests Trump Case Is Doomed
