Chargers Assistant Head Coach Steve Wilks Signs with Carolina Panthers

by John Gennaro on Jan 16, 2012 2:57 PM PST in San Diego Chargers News

The San Diego Chargers Secondary Coach and Assistant Head Coach (after Rob Chudzinski left with Ron Rivera to be the Offensive Coordinator for the Carolina Panthers) Steve Wilks has one again followed Ron Rivera, first from Chicago and now from San Diego), to be the Secondary Coach for the upstart Panthers.

When Rivera left, he asked the Chargers if he could take with him Wilks and Don Johnson (the Defensive Line Coach that came with Wilks from the Bears) and was denied. Both coaches are now "free agents", able to sign anywhere, and many people have expected both of these guys to sign with Rivera in Carolina. We have yet to hear on what Johnson's plans are, but both he and Wilks were critical parts of the San Diego defensive staff for the last three seasons.

John Pagano, recently promoted to Defensive Coordinator, will have to start rounding up candidates to replace the coaches he's lost (and still might lose) as well as fill the gap left by him as the former Linebackers Coach. All the while, Norv Turner will continue to look in-house for the right person to be his Offensive Coordinator.

Now added to Norv's list of offseason tasks will be to bestow the title of "Assistant Head Coach" onto another coach. The person who gets that title is usually the highest paid and most sought-after coach on the staff. Rich Bisaccia would be a logical choice, considering he held that title when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

We here at BFTB would like to wish Steve Wilks the best of luck with Coach Rivera and Coach Chudzinski in Carolina.

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I'm sorry to see him go, but I guess we knew he'd follow Rivera once he was able to.

Follow @RichardWade

Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
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by Richard Wade on Jan 16, 2012 3:04 PM PST reply actions

Seconded

It’s too bad he had to leave, but I can’t say that I’m surprised.

by Ferguson1015 on Jan 16, 2012 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

wonder if he's the last one...

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say sh-- or fu-- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."
Bolts from the Blue
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by Superduperboltman on Jan 16, 2012 3:28 PM PST reply actions

Rivera tried to take Johnson when he left, too. I wouldn't be surprised to see him follow Wilks.

Follow @RichardWade

Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Jan 16, 2012 3:41 PM PST up reply actions

Didn't I say this already?

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

Richard Wade - "I feel like me from four years ago would punch present me in the face. I like to think that's because I've grown as a person."

by John Gennaro on Jan 16, 2012 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, but I feel like SDBM didn't read it.

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Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Jan 16, 2012 7:07 PM PST up reply actions

I did,

it was more of a general observation, not my selective memory or ADD kicking in.
chud and wilks, at least Pagano is locked…

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say sh-- or fu-- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."
Bolts from the Blue
Join my 4,554 other followers on twitter. @poyzinous

by Superduperboltman on Jan 17, 2012 7:15 AM PST up reply actions

Maybe I didn't read it and was just blaming you.

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Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Jan 17, 2012 8:45 AM PST up reply actions

Who do you think will be his replacement

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 16, 2012 4:52 PM PST reply actions

Dishman maybe.

Follow @RichardWade

Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Jan 16, 2012 7:07 PM PST up reply actions

It sounds like he wanted to leave with Rivera

and would rather be in Carolina than San Diego. It is probably for the best to have someone on the staff that wants to be in San Diego. I have never been a fan of forcing someone to play, or coach, where they would rather not be.

by JeromeB on Jan 16, 2012 8:17 PM PST reply actions

good point

by cameronm on Jan 16, 2012 8:33 PM PST up reply actions

We here at BFTB would like to wish Steve Wilks the best of luck with Coach Rivera and Coach Chudzinski in Carolina.

Why exactly?

Yakety Sax: Making divisional matchups hilarious since 1963.
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Please, call me StrangeBro.

by StrangeBroP25 on Jan 16, 2012 10:20 PM PST reply actions

did you wish Brees the best?

or LT?

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say sh-- or fu-- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."
Bolts from the Blue
Join my 4,554 other followers on twitter. @poyzinous

by Superduperboltman on Jan 17, 2012 7:16 AM PST up reply actions

I did. But I'm pointing out the inconsistency in other BFTBers' positions on them.

“Why exactly” was Wade’s response, verbatim, to me noting that we still like Drew Brees here in San Diego.

Yakety Sax: Making divisional matchups hilarious since 1963.
Gaslamp Ball: SMELLS LIKE PROSPECTS IN HERE

Please, call me StrangeBro.

by StrangeBroP25 on Jan 17, 2012 8:15 PM PST up reply actions

Dick.

Follow @RichardWade

Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Jan 18, 2012 5:05 PM PST up reply actions

Who's following Norv?

All these coaches jumping ship, retiring following Ron & Chud… so much for continuity. looking

by Daryl Peek on Jan 17, 2012 12:45 AM PST reply actions

Feels familiar..

This scenario looks familiar.. all of our staff and players going to Carolina, does this mean that they’re going to win a Superbowl before us too? ex. Saints.

by Leonardo Velazquez on Jan 17, 2012 10:34 AM PST reply actions