CHARLOTTE — The Panthers brought back a familiar face to the defensive coaching staff, continuing to bring experienced coaches in.
The Panthers agreed to terms with former assistant Steve Wilks, bringing him back for a second stint with his hometown team.
He'll be the Panthers defensive pass game coordinator/secondary coach.
The 52-year-old Wilks, a graduate of West Charlotte High and Appalachian State, has deep roots here. He played for the Charlotte Rage of the Arena League in 1993, and got his start as a coach at nearby Johnson C. Smith in 1995
He joined the Panthers coaching staff in 2012 as defensive backs coach, and also served as assistant head coach (2015-2017) and defensive coordinator (2017).
He left to become head coach of the Cardinals in 2018, but was let go after one season. He was the Browns defensive coordinator in 2019, and spent last season as the defensive coordinator at the University of Missouri.
Wilks replaces Jason Simmons, who left for a job with the Raiders this week.
View photos of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, offensive line coach James Campen, defensive pass game coordinator Steve Wilks and defensive line coach Paul Pasqualoni from their decades of NFL coaching experience.
Steve Wilks
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo watches in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Chicago Bears acting head coach Chris Tabor points as he talks to his team during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers talks with Houston Texans offensive line coach James Campen during practice before the Green Bay Packers' preseason NFL football game against the Houston Texans Saturday, Aug.14,2021 in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni on the sideline against New York Giants during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday, Aug..8/17/18, 2018(Rick Osentoski via AP Images)
Steve Wilks Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints during the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo speaks during a press conference at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Steve Wilks The Carolina Panthers have their first practice at Gibbs Stadium in Wofford College on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Spartanburg, SC.
Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor watches against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo talks to reporters after a NFL football practice in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, June 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
during the quarter of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Giants coach Ben McAdoo looks on from the tunnel before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
FILE - In this June 4, 2019, file photo, Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor talks with coaches during practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Lake Forest, Ill. Tabor is scheduled, Thursday, Aug. 1, to discuss progress since last season's kicking game woes for the Bears.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2014, file photo, Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor gestures during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, in Cleveland. The Browns are hanging on to special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. New coach Hue Jackson is retaining Tabor, who has been with Cleveland since 2011. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) and Green Bay Packers offensive line coach James Campen shake hands following an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, in Detroit. The Packers defeated the Lions 27-15. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Cleveland Browns special teams coach Chris Tabor agaisnt the Washington Redskins during an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, file photo, New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in East Rutherford, N.J. With many calling for wholesale changes on the Giants in the wake of a dismal half a season, a relaxed coach Ben McAdoo took a very positive approach with his team heading into this week, telling the players he still believes in them. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Green Bay Packers offensive line coach, James Campen, during an NFL football drill during rookie orientation Friday May 1, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. . (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni watches during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the New York Giants, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor walks on the field during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns won 26-6. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Los Angeles Chargers offensive line coach James Campen coaches from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Chicago Bears special team coordinator Chris Tabor, right, greets Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) before an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo watches quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throw the ball during the team's NFL football training camp, Thursday, July. 26, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy talks to a teammate during the first quarter of an NFL football game after the game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Chicago Bears acting head coach Chris Tabor participates in warm ups before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Paul Pasqualoni, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, watches against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
FILE - Chicago Bears acting head coach Chris Tabor directs his team during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Chicago. The Chicago Bears could be without all three of their coordinators, including special teams coordinator Tabor, when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, left, talks with his son, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, center, and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo during NFL football minicamp, Thursday, June 18, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Chicago Bears acting head coach Chris Tabor looks out over the field the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Steve Wilks
FILE - This is an Aug. 9, 2014, file photo showing New York Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo watching the teams warm up before an NFL football game between the Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers in East Rutherford, N.J. Two games into the preseason schedule, the Giants offense is still looking got answers under McAdoo. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Steve Wilks The Carolina Panthers have their fifth practice of training camp at Wofford College on Sunday, July 30, 2017 in Spartanburg, SC.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor walks on the field during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns won 26-6. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo talks to reported during NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 30, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, from left, and linebackers coach Al Golden listen to head coach Matt Patricia during an NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, May 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, left, talks with quarterback Eli Manning during practice at the team's NFL football training camp Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Chicago Bears acting head coach Chris Tabor reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor reacts during an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. The Browns won 20-14. (AP Photo/David Richard)
FILE - In this July 28, 2012, file photo, then-Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo, right, talks with center Jeff Saturday (63), quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and offensive guard T.J. Lang (70) talk during NFL football training camp in Green Bay, Wis. McAdoo will catch up with old friends when he returns to Lambeau Field to coach the New York Giants in a game against the Packers on Sunday. . (AP Photo/Mike Roemer, File)
Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor during NFL football training camp Sunday, July 29, 2012, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) and acting head coach Chris Tabor watch warm ups before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears special team coordinator Chris Tabor, right, greets Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) before an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Green Bay Packers center Scott Wells (63) listens to Green Bay Packers offensive line coach James Campen in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, right, works with linebacker Tre Lamar, left, and middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during NFL football training camp Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Allen Park, Mich. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
