By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Steve Wilks

While NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick is at the center of North Carolina’s football search, another former NFL head coach is getting support from ex-Tar Heel players.

Steve Wilks, who coached the Arizona Cardinals and served as interim coach of the Carolina Panthers, has the backing of UNC greats Julius Peppers and Tre Boston to be the school’s replacement for Mack Brown.

Wilks interviewed for the position, according to On3 and The Athletic.

Peppers was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft after a stellar football (and solid basketball) career at UNC.

“All of the decision makers know who we want as our next leader,” Peppers posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I think that’s all that matters.”

I’m getting a few requests about my thoughts on UNC Football. So I’ll just say it like this- ALL of the decision makers know who we want as our next leader. I think that’s all that matters. If we get him- great, if we don’t get him- that’s cool too. I’ve said my piece. #GoHeels

— Pep (@juliuspeppers_) December 9, 2024

In a post directed to UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham, Boston — who played for UNC from 2010 to 2013 before a seven-year NFL career with three teams, but primarily the Panthers — said Wilks would uphold “The Carolina Way.”

“We know who we need & I promise he will uphold everything that’s The Carolina Way!!” Boston posted on social media. “Pls just trust it & go with him. He’s younger knows the landscape & how to coach/recruit these young men. Bub I need you boss, he is the right call. The teams that had em still stuck!”

@BubbaUNC We know who we need & I promise he will uphold everything that’s The Carolina Way!! Pls just trust it & go with him. He’s younger knows the landscape & how to coach/recruit these young men. Bub I need you boss, he is the right call. The teams that had em still stuck! 🐏

— Tre Boston (@TreBos10) December 10, 2024

Wilks, 55, is a veteran college and NFL coach. He spent one season as the head coach at Savannah State (1999), the Arizona Cardinals (2018) and interim coach of the Panthers (2022).

Wilks went 6-6 with the Panthers and nearly reached the playoffs after replacing Matt Rhule. He was considered for the full-time position, but Carolina hired Frank Reich.

Wilks was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 and served as a volunteer assistant with the Charlotte 49ers in 2024. Wilks’ most recent college coaching experience was as defensive coordinator at Missouri in 2021.

He spent the early part of his career at colleges (Johnson C. Smith, Savannah State, Illinois State, Appalachian State, East Tennessee State, Bowling Green, Notre Dame and Washington) before making the move to the NFL in 2006. He’s coached with the Bears, Chargers, Panthers, Cardinals, Browns and 49ers in the pros.

North Carolina has offered the job to Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. Belichick, 72, has 333 career victories in the NFL, good for second overall among coaches. He has no college coaching experience.

In replies to his post, Boston wrote that Belichick is “a great selection as well. I’m not mad. Saban called it at 72 y.o. B/c college football is not the same. NIL has changed the game forever. These kids are different. They’re not pros. The greatest coaches are having trouble, in a landscape they’ve known for yearsssss.”

Source: wralsportsfan.com