Why Cynthia Frelund calls 49ers adding Steve Wilks an ‘exceptional hire’

Cynthia Frelund is a fan of the San Francisco 49ers hiring Steve Wilks as the team's new defensive coordinator, replacing DeMeco Ryans. Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area, the NFL Media analyst explained why she believes adding Wilks was the right move.

"So I've had the chance to actually watch film with Steve Wilks," Frelund told Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan this week at Radio Row in Arizona. "He used to be, obviously, the head coach here in Arizona. Then he went over to Carolina and, you know, is the defensive coordinator and then interim head coach. And now he's out in the Bay Area, and that's a great hire for a number of reasons.

"One, players absolutely love playing for him. You saw, he got that Panthers defense to really get going. And what a strange season they had, but he really was a uniting force for that entire team. Two, he explains things really well to younger players, obviously.

"Look, this defense could probably run itself. It's a really exceptional front, especially. But as new players come—and we know how this all goes, free agency, draft, the whole thing—as you're updating the roster, you need a good leader who can teach, and he's an exceptional leader and teacher. So that's where you're really going to see [his impact].

"And the concepts, he really tailors them for what the players are able to do. And to me, that's the best analytics, right? Getting the most out of your people and having a good reason why, and then being able to execute it. So it's a great hire."

Ryans left to become the new head coach for the Houston Texans, leaving many to wonder who the 49ers would bring in to replace him.

Wilks has a lot of coaching experience, entering the NFL coaching ranks in 2006 with the Chicago Bears and including a stint as a defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2019. As Frelund mentioned, he was also the Arizona Cardinals' head coach for one season (2018). Wilks spent 2022 as the Panthers' defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach before becoming the interim head coach after Matt Rhule's firing.

"You're not going to replace DeMeco Ryans," Frelund added. "Let me be clear. He was obviously awesome and deserves all the accolades of becoming a head coach, but [Wilks is] an exceptional hire."