Head coach of the San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan announced on Wednesday that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will start this weekend’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars from the sidelines instead of the coaching box.
“We’re going to put him on that pitch this week, something we’ve talked about for a little bit,” Shanahan stated. “I think there’s pluses to it and minuses to it, but we’ll see what we like about this week.”
Before practise on Thursday, Wilks had a press conference where he discussed his early opinions on the change and emphasised that the plot has been exaggerated.
“Guys, to me, just very candid, I think we’re making a bigger deal out of it than it needs to be, to be honest,” Wilks stated. “But all I really want is to be able to talk to the boys a little more throughout the game. For some of the things I’m seeing, I would want to speak with them face-to-face rather than via coaches.
“First and foremost, I believe our coaches perform an excellent job both during the week and during in-game adjustments. One of the things we truly take pleasure in is our ability to communicate as a staff and make the appropriate decisions during the game. Therefore, all I truly want is to be able to talk to those guys a little bit more.”
Wilks went on, “I believe it’s essentially the communication aspect where we can have that conversation, communicate face-to-face, and attempt to make the necessary adjustments throughout the game. ‘Okay, I’m looking to change this up next series,’ I can now walk straight over to the D-line.”
This Sunday, all eyes will be on TIAA Bank Field as San Francisco looks to snap a three-game losing run. Shanahan is hopeful that this change will strengthen a defence that has been underperforming lately. A large portion of the criticism has been directed on Wilks.
“I can honestly say I’m sort of built for this,” Wilks stated. Not to seem conceited, but I’ve always thought of it as two things. It’s the sounds and sounds you take in. I can therefore hear a lot of outside sounds. Whether it’s horrible or nice, I don’t listen to it. I’ve been playing at this level for a while, so I am aware of the feelings involved in the game. I attempt to remain detached.
It’s 5-3. We’ve lost three straight, and the bar is so high here that it feels like the ceiling is falling in. We’re in a favourable situation. We must make a change. Thus, we have a long football season ahead of us. In November, we want to start moving forward, get better, and in December, we want to start giving it our all. I have thus witnessed and experienced this. I have tolerance.”
“Whether it’s him making the calls or staying with [linebackers coach] Johnny [Holland], having him down there connected with us on the field is going to be great,” linebacker Fred Warner said in response to a question regarding Wilks’ shift to the sidelines.It just makes it simpler for him to be able to speak with someone face-to-face down there.”
Additionally, Wilks talked with reporters for the first time on Thursday following the acquisition of defensive end Chase Young. The head coach took a time to discuss his feelings about the new defensive lineman.
“I think he has truly come in and fit into the culture that these guys have set,” said Wilks. “I believe [DE Nick] Bosa made the adjustment easy for him, and I believe the only reason he’s enthusiastic is that he’s in a new environment and element.
“As a rookie in Washington, he was put in a position where he had to lead, which is difficult when you don’t have anybody to really look up to or down to try and model yourself after. He can thus rely on a lot of the individuals in this locker room.”
