Carolina Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule on Monday less than 24 hours after a 37-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Panthers said that its defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Steve Wilks will replace the 47-year-old as the interim coach.

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero said that it is likely that Wilks would be considered for the full-time job. Wilks spent one season as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.

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Just six months ago, Panthers’ owner David Tepper, had said that five to six years were needed to rebuild an organization that is capable of sustained excellence.

Rhule came into Panthers with a seven-year, $62 million contract in 2020. Tepper, who is the second-wealthiest owner in the NFL, said in late April: “I believe in Matt. He has my full support.”

“I’m a fan,” Tepper said at the time “I don’t like to lose. But it takes time and it takes a foundation, and it takes time to create the foundation to win. I do believe Coach Rhule and [general manager] Scott [Fitterer] have done a great job of creating that foundation.”

While the expectation was high, the former Temple and Baylor coach gave results far different from what Tepper expected.

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Under head coach Rhule, Carolina produced just an 11-27 record over two-plus seasons. Rhule is the first head coach in Panthers history who has served less than full seasons.

Baker Mayfield, who was traded by Panthers this offseason and ranked last in the NFL in ESPN’s total quarterback rating, was one of several players who spoke out in support of Rhule.

“We’re fine in the locker room when it comes to that,” the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick said. “There are a lot of plays that we just have to flat-out make — and he can’t do that. He can’t go make plays for us. He can’t do the execution for us.”