After a 48‑point defeat, the New York Jets’ head coach Aaron Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and promoted defensive backs coach Chris Harris to interim.
The decision was announced Monday, the day after the Jets lost 48‑20 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a loss that was one of the team’s worst in the 3‑11 season.
Glenn said during a video call with reporters that he made the decision late Sunday night, a few hours after the loss, and he spoke to Wilks on Monday morning to inform him that he was relieving him of his duties.
Glenn added that he would assist Harris in the play‑calling duties this week.
He told reporters, “I felt like it was the best decision for the organization at this time,” and continued, “I’ve said this all along, that I’m evaluating players, I’m evaluating coaches, I’m evaluating myself, and I just felt like this was the best decision for right now, for the team and for this organization.”
Wilks, 56, was the first of the Jets’ three coordinators hired by Glenn after he took over in January.
Prior to joining New York, Wilks was out of the NFL last season while serving as a volunteer adviser for Charlotte’s football team.
He had been San Francisco’s defensive coordinator in 2023 but was fired after the 49ers’ loss in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Under Wilks, the Jets’ defense struggled all season, ranking among the league’s worst against the run and points allowed.
New York set an NFL record with no interceptions through its first 14 games, a streak that also tied a league mark for any 14‑game stretch in a season.
The Jets had expected their defense to be a strength for a team that was adjusting to changes to its coaching staff and with a new general manager in Darren Mougey.
But the unit struggled all season under Wilks.
As of Monday, the Jets’ defense ranks 20th overall, 29th against the run and 30th in average points allowed.
The pass defense has been serviceable, ranking 12th in the league.
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said, “I think it’s very, very difficult decisions,” and added, “And I’ll start with how much trust I have in A.G. and his vision for this organization to win. So, I ultimately I put that at the forefront of any of my emotions and know that I trust the man at the helm.”
New York, which failed to make the playoffs for the 15th straight year, dealt two of its top players—cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams—at the trade deadline.
That further weakened an already inconsistent defense under Wilks.
Two weeks ago, the Jets gave up 167 yards rushing in a 27‑24 victory over Atlanta.
They followed that up by allowing 239 yards on the ground last week in a 34‑10 loss to Miami.
On Sunday, Trevor Lawrence threw five touchdown passes and ran for a score in the blowout loss at Jacksonville, during which the Jaguars scored on eight of their first nine possessions.
After the game, Glenn brushed off questions about whether he might consider pulling play‑calling duties from Wilks, saying he brought the veteran coach to New York “for a reason, and I want him to run his system.”
A few hours later, Glenn decided to move forward without Wilks for the final three games of the season.
He told reporters, “I just thought that from last week going into this week, the improvement wasn’t there,” and added, “And I thought it was time to make a change.”
The 43‑year‑old Harris had 16 career interceptions while playing safety for eight NFL seasons during two stints with Chicago, along with stops in Carolina, Detroit and Jacksonville.
After retiring from playing in 2013, Harris began his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach for the Bears before joining the Chargers as an assistant defensive backs coach in 2016.
He served in the same role for Washington from 2020 through the 2022 season before being hired by Tennessee as the defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.
Glenn said Harris has experience calling defensive plays in the preseason, so he expects him to get up to speed quickly.
Glenn said, “This is a league of change,” and continued, “And with change comes opportunity, and this will be a good opportunity for him to call it.”
The Jets got their second defensive takeaway of the season against Jacksonville, a fumble recovery by Malachi Moore— a little more than two months after Andre Cisco’s fumble recovery against Denver on Oct. 12.
New York ranks last in the NFL with a minus‑17 turnover differential.
Glenn said, “I want to see consistent improvement,” and added, “I want to see structure that’s consistent. I want to see play that’s consistent. And I want to see the culture of this football team come together.”
The Jets’ defensive overhaul comes at a time when the franchise is still grappling with a lack of depth and consistency on the field.
The decision to replace Wilks reflects a broader strategy to rebuild the defense from the ground up.
Harris will take over play‑calling responsibilities for the next three games while Glenn will remain involved in the process.
The move is expected to give the coaching staff a fresh perspective and a chance to reset the defensive culture.
The Jets’ final three games will test Harris’s ability to lead the unit and address the numerous deficiencies that have plagued the defense all season.
The team’s performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as they look for any signs of improvement.
With the season’s end approaching, the Jets are hoping that a change in leadership will spark a turnaround.
The franchise’s hopes rest on the ability of the new interim coordinator to implement a cohesive defensive scheme.
Only time will reveal whether the change will produce the desired results.
For now, the Jets have placed the responsibility for defensive play‑calling on a coach with a solid track record of defensive play.
The organization remains focused on building a defense that can compete at the highest level.
The Jets’ next opponents will be a litmus test for the new defensive leadership.
The franchise’s future hinges on how quickly the defense can adapt to the new system and improve its performance.
The Jets’ season will continue with the hope that the defensive shake‑up will bring the needed change.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
At newsofaustin.com, Morgan reports on everything from severe weather alerts and traffic updates to city council decisions, crime reports, and the issues shaping daily life in Austin. Known for reliable fact-checking and a strong commitment to public-interest journalism, Morgan brings readers the information they need to stay informed and engaged.
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