The Arizona Cardinals hired Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks on Monday, making the 48-year-old Appalachian State alum their choice to replace Bruce Arians and, hopefully, wrangle their cast of high-profile defensive stars.
According to NFL Network, Wilks made his case on the beach, approaching general manager Steve Keim while both were vacationing in the same place. Assuming the Colts (Josh McDaniels) and Lions (Matt Patricia) stick with their dance partners over the next few weeks, the coaching carousel has now stopped.
The hiring of Wilks is encouraging for multiple reasons, but most notably it ends this hiring cycle on a high note for the embattled Fritz Pollard Alliance.