SAVANNAH, GA - President Carlton E. Brown has named Steven B. Wilks as the head football coach at Savannah State University.
Wilks joined the Tiger football staff two years ago as assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator. Last week, President Brown named Wilks interim head football coach for the Tigers to replace the outgoing coach, Daryl McNeill.
"Coach Wilks has demonstrated that he has the competence to structure a high-quality athletics program at SSU," President Brown said. "We have confidence that he can put forth the leadership and discipline necessary to nurture our students both academically and athletically."
As defensive coordinator at SSU, Wilks put together the top Division 11 defensive team in the nation in 1998. The Tigers finished the 1998 season with a 7-4-0 record, after posting a 3-8-0 record in 1997.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wilks earned a bachelor of science degree in communications at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, in 1992. While there, he was a four-year letterman and team MVP during his senior year. After graduation, he spent approximately one year with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System before signing as a professional athlete with the Arena Football League team, the Charlotte Rage. Wilkes was a defensive back with the arena team in 1993 and 1994. In 1995, he joined Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, as assistant football coach and defensive coordinator under Coach Daryl McNeill. At JCSU, Wilkes led the Bulls defense to a ranking among the top 15 Division II defenses in the nation in 1996. He also served as head track coach at JCSU.
"I have proven experience in establishing priorities to achieve winning performances and I am very excited to have the opportunity as head football coach at Savannah State University," Wilkes stated. As for his message to the team, he stated: "My philosophy is accountability. Winning on and off the field means everyone is accountable - the players and the coaches."
Wilkes will make his head-coaching debut when the Tigers open the 1999 season against Elizabeth City State University on August 29 in Wright Stadium.
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