initially retired after the 2017 season before coming out of retirement in early 2019 to become the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 2018 season opener against the Washington Redskins, Wilks made his head coaching debut in the 24–6 loss. In Week 5, against the San Francisco 49ers, he recorded his first NFL victory as a head coach. He finished coaching the season with an NFL-worst 3–13 record and the worst record for the Cardinals since 2000. On December 31, 2018, the Cardinals fired Wilks. Cleveland Browns On January 14, 2019, Wilks was hired by the Cleveland Browns to be their defensive coordinator under head coach Freddie Kitchens. He was not retained under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Missouri On January 21, 2021, Wilks was hired by the University of Missouri as their defensive coordinator under head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. Carolina Panthers (second stint) On February 9, 2022, the Panthers announced the hiring of Wilks as Matt Rhule's new defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach. On October 10, 2022 after Rhule was fired, Wilks was named the Panthers' interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Head coaching record College NFL * – Interim head coach Personal life Wilks is a Christian. He is married to Marcia Wilks. They have two daughters and one son. References 1969 births Living people American football defensive backs American football wide receivers Appalachian State Mountaineers football coaches Appalachian State Mountaineers football players Arizona Cardinals head coaches Bowling Green Falcons football coaches Carolina Panthers coaches Carolina Panthers head coaches Charlotte Rage players Chicago Bears coaches Cleveland Browns coaches East Tennessee State Buccaneers football coaches Illinois State Redbirds football coaches Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls football coaches Missouri Tigers football coaches National Football League defensive coordinators Notre Dame Fighting Irish football coaches San Diego Chargers coaches San Francisco 49ers coaches Savannah State Tigers football coaches Washington Huskies football coaches Sportspeople from Charlotte, North Carolina Players of American football from Charlotte, North Carolina African-American coaches of American football African-American players of American football 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American sportspeople