With more than 30 years experience as a football coach, in college and the NFL, the Jets' defensive coordinator Steve Wilks took a step back in 2024 to work as a volunteer adviser at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, in his hometown.
"I had a great relationship with Biff Poggi, the head coach that was there, he invited me out, and it really helped me tremendously," Wilks, 55, said on Thursday during his first encounter with the New York media since HC Aaron Glenn named him DC on Feb. 1. "It was great to reset and recharge, but I learned a lot throughout that process, and I was ready to get back into the saddle."
Wilks, who has had jobs mostly as a defensive assistant and a stint as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2018) has long known Glenn from their days in the coaching trenches.
"I have a lot of respect for Aaron, we've known each other over the years," Wilks said. "Never really worked with one another, but we had a lot of conversations, particularly at the Combine, talking philosophy, those kinds of things. So throughout the process, we stayed in contact, and when it narrowed down to the Jets, I got really excited because I've been, from afar ... I know the roster, I know the personnel that we have on the defensive side of the ball, and a lot to work with. And his [Glenn's] relationship with the organization, I felt like it was going to be a great connection with ownership."
In his early assessment, even before the pads come on, Wilks said his view of the defense is that it all starts up front. He spoke glowingly about DT Quinnen Williams, who is preparing for his seventh season with the Jets, and edge Will McDonald IV, getting ready for his third season with the Green & White.
"Everything we do starts up front," he said. "Stopping the run, getting to the quarterback, creating a new line of scrimmage. And Quinnen is that guy that can do that."
Speaking about McDonald, he added: "Will is phenomenal, he can get to the passer. Will is a lot more physical and stronger than what I anticipated and saw from afar, for us being able to be stopped in the run game. So it's always that fluctuation and with his weight, and that's something that he has to control with the strength staff, which we have a tremendous group of guys there. But his effort, his approach each and every day ... I'm on board with him. Man, I'm excited about what he can do, and I'm looking forward to a great season from him."