The Ohio State Buckeyes are fresh off winning the program's ninth national championship and have already turned their attention to defending their title in 2025. In the days following the Buckeyes' College Football Playoff Championship Game triumph,
Here’s a round-up of the latest news pertinent to Ohio State’s defensive coordinator search. Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator — and interim head coach (2022) — Jim Leonhard seems to be staying put in the NFL.
The New York Jets have their defensive coordinator for Aaron Glenn. The team has reportedly tabbed veteran, longtime NFL coach and coordinator Steve Wilks as the DC for Glenn’s coaching staff, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero: The #Jets have agreed to terms with Steve Wilks as their defensive coordinator, per sources.
The Sooners still have not announced a defensive coordinator, but the hire may not be far away, according to athletic director Joe Castiglione.
Wilks, who replaces Jeff Ulbrich as the Jets’ defensive coordinator, also has head coaching experience. He was Arizona’s coach in 2018 and was fired after the Cardinals finished 3-13. Wilks also was Carolina’s interim coach when he replaced the fired Matt Rhule in 2022 and went 6-6 with the Panthers.
Aaron Glenn's first staff in New York will include a former NFL head coach. The Jets are finalizing a deal to make former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks their new defensive coordinator, as confirmed by CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.
The South Dakota Coyotes football program announced Billy Kirch as the team’s next defensive coordinator. Kirch spent ten seasons at Northwestern, helping guide the Red Raiders to a national title in 2022 while also earning Footballscoop.
Steve Wilks, who ran the Niners' defense in 2023 and was head coach of the Cardinals in 2018, has agreed to become the Jets' defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN.
Athletic director Joe Castiglione said Thursday the OU football program is in the midst of searching for a defensive coordinator, and general manager.