Steve Wilks

2023 - 1 - 26

Post cover — Image courtesy of "NFL.com"

Steve Wilks 'disappointed but not defeated' after not getting Panthers ... (NFL.com)

Steve Wilks is taking the high road after being passed over for the Panthers head coaching job. The day after Carolina announced it hired Frank Reich as its ...

Thank you to my family, friends and the community for your overwhelming support. Many people aren't built for this but I know what it means to persevere and see it through. "The sun rose this morning and by the grace of God so did I," Wilks wrote.

Steve Wilks 'disappointed' after Panthers hire Frank Reich (ESPN)

Steve Wilks, who went 6-6 as interim coach of the Panthers, was "disappointed but not defeated" after Frank Reich was hired for the full-time job.

Statistically, the Panthers improved a lot after the change from Rhule to Wilks, particularly on offense. Wilks has not yet been interviewed by any of the other four. Thank you to my family, friends and the community for your overwhelming support. It was Tepper who gave Wilks the opportunity to lead his hometown team after firing Matt Rhule following a 1-4 start. "The sun rose this morning and by the grace of God so did I," Wilks wrote. He was gracious in his congratulations to Reich.

Panthers hire Frank Reich: Lawyer representing Steve Wilks says ... (CBSSports.com)

Wilks, who was passed over despite his impressive work as interim coach, expresses admiration for Panthers organization.

One of those coaches, Lovie Smith, became the third Black coach fired by the [Texans](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/HOU/houston-texans/) in as many years a day after the regular season ended. [Dolphins](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/MIA/miami-dolphins/)' firing of Flores and Flores' case against the NFL. The job instead [went to Frank Reich](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/panthers-hire-frank-reich-as-head-coach-just-months-after-he-was-fired-by-the-colts/), who was fired by the [Colts](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/IND/indianapolis-colts/) nine games into the 2022 season. [Shaq Thompson said](https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-talked-playoff-mentality-now-they-believe-it) following Carolina's late-season win in Seattle. Panthers quarterback [Sam Darnold](/nfl/players/2180320/sam-darnold/) said Wilks' transparency was one of his biggest strengths during his time as interim coach. [Panthers](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/CAR/carolina-panthers/)' interim head coach, Steve Wilks was not chosen to be Carolina's permanent coach.

Steve Wilks: 'It was an honor' to be Panthers interim coach (WCNC.com)

Steve Wilks issued his first public statement since being passed over for the Carolina Panthers' head coaching vacancy, saying he "will always be a fan" of ...

Lawyers for Steve Wilks 'Shocked and Disturbed' by Panthers' Hire (Front Office Sports)

After the Carolina Panthers hired Frank Reich as head coach on Thursday, lawyers for former interim coach Steve Wilks blasted the franchise.

[Pro Football Talk](https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/26/panthers-recent-hire-of-frank-reichs-daughter-could-become-an-issue-in-steve-wilks-litigation/) was the first to report she had accepted a job days before her father’s hire was announced. Wilks interviewed for the Panthers job, and The Dolphins fired Flores after the 2021 season. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York, has not ruled on the NFL’s motion. After the Panthers fired Matt Rhule after a 1-4 start, Wilks went 6-6. Wigdor and John Elefterakis said in a statement to Front Office Sports.

Steve Wilks' lawyer: Panthers' Frank Reich hire shows NFL's ... (New York Post)

The Panthers made the first hire of the NFL coaching cycle, inking former Colts head coach Frank Reich for the same position in Carolina over Steve Wilks.

He was also the first ever starting quarterback for the Panthers in their inaugural 1995 season, throwing the first touchdown pass in franchise history. Immediately after the hire was made, Wilks’ lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, released a statement that appeared to question whether he was passed over due to race. And not everyone is happy about the hire – specifically, interim head coach Steve Wilks, who took over the job midseason after Matt Rhule was fired.