Jets fire DC Steve Wilks after 48-20 loss to Jaguars

Field Level Media|published: 12/15/2025, 11:07am EST

Jun 11, 2025; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks speaks at a press conference during minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks on Monday following a lopsided loss in Jacksonville.

The Jets (3-11) surrendered season highs in yards (438) and points in the 48-20 thumping by the Jaguars (10-4) on Sunday.

Chris Harris, the defensive backs coach and passing-game coordinator, takes over as interim defensive coordinator with three games left in the season.

Through Sunday's games, the Jets rank 20th in the NFL in total defense (337.4 yards per game) and 30th in scoring defense (28.4 points per game).

Wilks, 56, was in his first season with the Jets. He was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 and interim head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2022.

Wilks also worked as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers (2023), Panthers (2022, 2017), University of Missouri (2021) and Cleveland Browns (2019). He has been coaching in college and the NFL since 1995.

--Field Level Media