Panthers insider throws out Steve Wilks as possibility to replace Mack Brown at North Carolina

With the North Carolina football head coaching job set to open with the ouster of Mack Brown, it’s not yet clear what direction the Tar Heels could go for a new hire. But one former NFL coach could apparently be a fit.

And that would be Steve Wilks, according to Carolina Panthers insider Joe Person. Wilks, along with being a Charlotte native, has coached extensively with the Panthers during his career. Person also noted he has worked with Tar Heel legend Julius Peppers during his career.

Wilks has served as a defensive coach at the NFL and college levels for more than two decades. He most recently served as a volunteer staffer for the Charlotte program after serving as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.

Wilks was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, going 3-13. He served as the Carolina Panthers interim head coach to end the 2022 season, going 6-6 after Matt Rhule’s firing.

North Carolina announced Brown’s firing on Tuesday, a day after he said he’d planned to return for the 2025 season.

“This season will be Mack Brown’s last as the University of North Carolina’s head football coach,” a press release from the University of North Carolina read, following multiple reports. “Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham on Monday informed Brown, who coached UNC from 1988-97 and then returned to Chapel Hill in Nov., 2018, that he will not return as head coach.

“Brown will coach the team Saturday in its season finale against NC State at Kenan Stadium; a decision has not been reached on whether Brown will coach in a Bowl game.”

There certainly was never a guarantee that the Tar Heels would want to run it back with the legendary coach. They’re currently 6-5 entering Saturday’s regular season finale against the Wolfpack, and Brown is 73 years old, turning 74 next August.

The surprise comes after Brown addressed his future in Chapel Hill during a weekly press conference on Monday, and was asked directly if he intends to be back in 2025, to which he bluntly responded with a resounding yes. However, Brown did acknowledged that he hadn’t spoken with Cunningham yet about his future.

North Carolina suffered a 41-21 loss to Boston College this past weekend, which ended a three-game winning streak for the Tar Heels. Brown also spoke Monday about why he continues to coach, and what factors into his decision to want to be back on the sidelines.

“When you’re 73 you’re asked every day. I mean recruits have asked every day, every year, ‘How long are you going to do this?’ And I’ve said I’ll do it as long as I’m happy, as long as I’m healthy and as long as I’m effective,” Brown stated. “I’m not going to think about retiring. I’m not going to talk about retiring. I haven’t changed that for six years. 

“I learned that from Texas. And there will be a morning when I’ll get up and I’ll say, ‘You know what, somebody else should be leading this team. They’re better than I am at this at this point.’ And then I’ll go do something else. But I’ve got way too much to do to be worried about next week. I’m trying to beat NC State.”