The writing was on the wall for Steve Wilks and the New York Jets after their recent embarrassing performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

A 48-20 shellacking at the hands of the AFC South leaders, immediately following a 34-10 blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins, left the Jets and head coach Aaron Glenn with no other choice.

Wilks is out as defensive coordinator as of Monday morning.

“I felt like it was the best decision for the organization at this time,” Glenn said. “I’m evaluating coaches, I’m evaluating myself, and I just felt like this was the best decision for right now for the team and for this organization.”

Some fans have taken Wilks’ dismissal as a sign that owner Woody Johnson, reportedly notorious for meddling in football decisions, stepped in to demand change from his first-time head coach. They believe that Wilks was tabbed as Johnson’s “fall guy” for the Jets’ 3-11 start.

However, Wilks’ firing had more to do with the players’ performance than with anyone else in the organization.

Jets players to blame for Wilks’ firing

It was apparent over the last two weeks that the players had begun to grow frustrated over the lack of schematic success from the defensive coaching staff.

Inconsistent effort, receivers running wide open due to poor communication, and an inability to stop the run were key elements in New York’s recent multi-score defeats at the hands of Florida teams.

Even more disturbing, though, was the fact that players had been regressing all season.

After weeks of poor performance, that clearly began to weigh on some of the locker-room leaders. Sunday’s poor showing in Jacksonville saw Quincy Williams and Jermaine Johnson, usually talkative leaders, silent and unwilling to discuss the troubles the organization was going through.

Their silence wasn’t a pushback against Glenn. It was frustration over their defensive coordinator and play-caller finally boiling over.

Glenn was therefore left with a decision to make. Either continue to allow Wilks to coach the defense and alienate players in his very first season, or make a coaching change.

He opted for the latter.

Now, the team must decide where to go from here.

Where does team go from here?

Defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator Chris Harris has been promoted to interim defensive coordinator and play-caller for the remainder of the season. The former All-Pro safety is well regarded across the league, and this is an excellent opportunity for him to prove he’s ready for a coordinator job.

Other names among the Jets’ list of potential candidates include Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker, Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and Chicago Bears defensive backs coach Al Harris.

Choosing the right coach is all about finding someone who can put the players in a position to succeed.

Glenn must find a coordinator who can confuse opposing quarterbacks by marrying the front four pass rush with the secondary. Under Wilks, that wasn’t happening.

The Jets also need to have someone who can bring out the best in the personnel at their disposal.

Wilks did neither. Time will tell if Glenn can find someone who can.