The 49ers have fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, which could indicate that they're scapegoating him for the Super Bowl loss.
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00:00 Hey, guys. Um, I just want to get you guys back together. I know we got together yesterday,
00:10 but there's a couple of things yesterday that, um, wasn't ready to talk about yet because
00:15 I wasn't sure which direction I was going to go, but sleeping on this for a few nights
00:19 and trying to make come up with a few tough decisions. But this morning I, um, relieved
00:25 Steve Wilkes of his duties. I'm going to end up making a change here, a defensive coordinator
00:30 and, um, really tough decision because really, um, says nothing about Steve as a man or as
00:37 a football coach. I mean, he's exactly what we wanted as a man. He is a great football
00:42 coach. Um, but just where we're going and where we're at with our team, um, from a scheme
00:47 standpoint and things like that, um, looking through it all throughout the year to these
00:52 last few days, um, felt pretty strongly that this was a decision that was best for organization.
00:57 And even though it was one I didn't want to make, um, it was something that, um, once
01:02 I realized that I think of different directions, what's best for organization, and then it's
01:06 something that I have to do. So, uh, let him know this morning and I know I wasn't able
01:10 to let you guys know yesterday cause I wasn't sure about it yesterday. Um, but I am now
01:16 and, um, that's the case and want to let you guys know firsthand. So I'll open it up for
01:20 questions now.
01:22 Kyle, does this have to do with just kind of, you know, him coming in from outside the
01:28 building and not being familiar with the system, uh, that you guys had run successfully for
01:34 so many years before this?
01:35 Uh, yes. I mean, that, that was the hardest part. And I knew that was a challenge. You
01:39 know, it was tough. It was real tough. Losing, um, D'Amico is tough losing solid the year
01:44 before and, but, um, you know, we had committed to not just the system, but the players that
01:49 had been in the system from our D line or linebackers. Um, they had played in it for
01:54 such a long time. So it was, it was my goal to not have to change all of them and, um,
01:59 bring it in Steve, who was unbelievable and how loyal he was and him trying to do it.
02:04 And, but it just ended up not being, um, the right fit. And it's like, I, you know, it
02:11 hurt for me to do this, but that's exactly why I had to.
02:14 So now do you look inside the building or do you look for people familiar with that
02:19 system outside the building?
02:20 Uh, we'll do both. Um, we've got some good coaches in here and, um, definitely going
02:25 to look out, out outside also. So there's a number of things I got to do for the interview
02:29 process, but, um, you know, I had to get this, I had to, you know, this wasn't an easy decision.
02:34 So it was something that I had to really put a lot of time into. And, um, now that, and
02:39 have that conversation with Steve this morning, which now that's taken care of. And, um, now
02:44 I'll start working on the interview process and things like that, trying to find who's
02:47 best for our group.
02:48 Kyle, as far as, um, as far as Chris Koshurik, you had, um, Steve was the first guy that
02:55 you had as a coordinator that was, had kind of a different background working with DBs
02:58 and things like that. Do you think there was some sort of disconnect there, not having,
03:01 you know, a guy with a linebacker who kind of connect the front and the back well there?
03:05 Uh, was that part of the issue here?
03:06 Uh, yes, I think it was. And I don't think that just is solely because his background
03:12 is DBs. I just think it, you know, it has to do with, you know, the way we play linebacker
03:16 and stuff like that. And the way that, you know, Fred and Trey have done it here over
03:19 the years and the way we've coached it. And I mean, there's, there's no one way to do
03:24 things, but, um, you want to tie things together. And Steve was always working to do that. There's
03:29 no doubt about that, but, um, it was just for, for his background and how it ended up
03:34 with us. It was just, it wasn't, it was harder than it needed to be. And I felt it would
03:39 improve us, um, going in a different direction.
03:42 Have you ever broached, um, being a defensive coordinator with Chris Kacuric or Johnny Holland,
03:48 either of those two guys?
03:50 Uh, yes. Yep. I've been around those guys for a while. So talk about a lot of things.
03:55 I mean, what's the feedback been from Kacuric? Is he happy being a defensive line coach or
04:01 is that something that he's interested in being, being a DC?
04:05 Um, I mean, I think it's always a possibility for him, but I know, um, what Chris majors
04:11 in, I know what he loves to do. His passion is D line. Um, he doesn't go outside of that
04:16 a lot. Um, but Chris is a hell of a coach and, um, he's capable of doing a lot.
04:21 A couple more guys.
04:24 Is Daniel Bullock someone you'd consider for the job?
04:38 I'm going to talk to all these guys. I haven't really talked. I just did this with Steve
04:42 about an hour, an hour ago. And so I haven't got a chance to meet with all these guys,
04:47 but, um, all of them will have a chance. I'm not going to specify anyone in particular
04:51 this early. Um, but the DV has done a great job for us here over the years. And, um, he's
04:56 a coach that I have a lot of respect for.
04:59 Are you committed to the system that you've been running or would you consider bringing
05:02 in a, a defensive coordinator who comes in with his own system?
05:08 I'm committed to trying with a situation we're in, trying to find what we believe will give
05:14 the Niners the best chance in 2024. And when you have a group of guys who have played at
05:19 a high level, doing certain things, um, a specific way for a while, um, I do feel that's
05:26 the best thing to do for them. But if I find something that I should believe in and it
05:30 could be sold on, that could be a better Avenue. Um, I would never hesitate to do that. So
05:34 I'm not closed minded in any way. I'll look in every possibility. Um, but you know, when
05:40 you have some good players who have played at a high level and dotted a certain way,
05:45 um, I'm not just trying to change that. You know, I lean towards trying to keep them doing
05:49 similar stuff that they've been very good at. That's got us very far. Um, but I have
05:53 to make sure that, um, I find the right person who's capable of leading our group in that
05:57 way that the standard of how we have done it and that the belief that we'll continue
06:02 to get better at it. Um, I believe in with whoever I choose to do this for us.
06:07 Have you had a chance to talk to any of the players before talking to us?
06:13 Um, no, I mean, I've talked to a number of the players just, and I got pretty good relationships
06:19 with them overall, but no, they're not in the building. So it's not like I could call
06:23 them and let them know here. I wanted to make sure that, you know, things have a way of
06:27 getting out. So I just wanted to make sure that I got it out to you guys before, um,
06:31 it came out some random way.
06:32 Kyle, what are you looking for personality wise? Because D'Amico, Ryan's and Robert's
06:36 Tyler were obviously very energetic on the sidelines. I don't know if that has anything
06:40 to do with your decision.
06:43 That has nothing to do with my decision. Watch Tyler now. He's not that energetic. Um, that's,
06:49 um, now that energetic on the sidelines has absolutely nothing to do with coaching.
06:54 All right guys, appreciate it.
06:56 One last thing, Tyler, there's, uh, reports about some of your other coaches going to
07:00 other opportunities. Can you, can you just kind of confirm which coaches, uh, in fact,
07:05 will be leaving, uh, to take other jobs?
07:08 Yeah. Um, James Crager got the online job with the Raiders. Um, all these are confirmed,
07:15 right? Tap, tap came out today. I think I read I'm pro football. Yeah. Um, Darrell tap
07:22 D line coach at Washington. And, um, Anthony Lynn is going to be run game coordinator in
07:29 the fall. And, um, I believe we already talked about Clint Kubiak.
07:32 Great. Thank you.
07:34 All right, guys. All right, guys. Thanks.
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