Steve Wilks’ Attorneys “Shocked And Disturbed” He Was Passed Over For Panthers Head Coach Job

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The big question a lot of people are asking: why didn’t Steve Wilks get the job? Wilks seems to be wondering that too. His attorneys tweeted Thursday afternoon that they were shocked and disturbed that he didn’t get the job. Steve Wilks’ attorneys made their position clear in two tweets Thursday afternoon, writing, “We are shocked and disturbed that after the incredible job Coach Wilks did as the interim coach, including bringing the team back into playoff contention and garnering the support of the players and fans, that he was passed over for the head coach position by David Tepper. There is a legitimate race problem in the NFL, and we can assure you that we will have more to say in the coming days.”

The attorneys representing Wilks include John Elefterakis. Elefterakis is co-counsel in the Brian Flores vs. the NFL lawsuit. Wilks is also part of the Flores lawsuit, which alleges racial discrimination. Last June, Wilks was asked why he joined the suit. He declined to talk about it in detail, but did say, “I’m all about change, and I’ll just leave it with that.”

Wilks graduated from West Charlotte High School. After news of the Reich’s hire, a member of the school’s alumni association says they’re now organizing a boycott of Panthers games. He says he’ll only go back to the games if Wilks is the head coach. Eric Greene says, “If we get Steve back, if not, I’m done, I’m done, I’m done.” Greene tells WCCB he agrees with Wilks’ attorneys that the NFL has a race problem. Greene says, “I’ve seen many many African American men, particularly, passed up for positions, not only in the NFL, NBA, and even every day blue collar jobs.”

The West Charlotte alum association has about 3,000 members. A source tells WCCB that the Panthers will hold a news conference on Tuesday to announce Reich as the new head coach.