Falcons interview Steve Wilks and Steelers' Grady Brown in ongoing search for defensive coordinator

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons announced Friday they interviewed former San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown as the team continued its search for a defensive coordinator.

Brown has coached the Steelers' secondary for four years.

Wilks led the 49ers' defense in 2023 and was a defensive assistant and interim head coach with Carolina in 2022. Wilks also served as Arizona's coach in 2018 before one year as Cleveland's defensive coordinator. He was defensive coordinator for the University of Missouri in 2021.

The Falcons have announced interviews with six candidates.

Green Bay passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley and former Cincinnati assistant Lou Anarumo interviewed on Thursday. The Falcons spoke with New York Jets interim coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on Wednesday and Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale on Tuesday.

Anarumo was fired as the Bengals’ defensive coordinator on Jan. 6. He spent six seasons leading Cincinnati’s defense.

The Falcons have been active in their search after firing defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers on Saturday following their 8-9 finish.

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The Associated Press