FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — 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, former Cincinnati assistant Lou Anarumo, New York Jets interim coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.

The Falcons fired defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers last week following their 8-9 finish.