Share
The UNPACKIN' it Podcast With Bryce Johnson & Trip Smith
Former NFL Head Coach Steve Wilks: Rising Above Disappointment & Leading with Faith
•
In this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, host Bryce Johnson sits down in-studio with long-time NFL coach and App State Special Assistant to Athletics, Steve Wilks!
Steve takes us through his incredible football journey - from playing defensive back at Appalachian State to coaching in three Super Bowls, serving as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, and leading as interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers.
More About Steve:
Steve Wilks is a Charlotte native, Appalachian State alum, and veteran football coach with more than 30 years of experience, including 17 seasons in the NFL.
Wilks played defensive back at App State from 1987–1991, helping the Mountaineers win Southern Conference championships in 1987 and 1991. He later returned to Boone as the program’s defensive backs coach in 2001 and now serves his alma mater as a special assistant to athletics.
During his NFL career, Wilks has coached with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets. He served as head coach of the Cardinals in 2018 and went 6–6 as the Panthers’ interim head coach in 2022. He was also part of three Super Bowl teams—as Carolina’s assistant head coach and defensive backs coach during its run to Super Bowl 50, assistant with the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, and as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator during its appearance in Super Bowl LVIII.
Beyond the game, Steve opens up about:
His new role supporting App State athletics and navigating the modern NIL/revenue-sharing landscape.
His thoughts on Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and week-one takeaways in the NFL.
Why true identity shouldn’t be tied to a career or title ("You can't chase purpose and identity at the same time").
How God used major disappointments and firings in his career to redirect him toward greater purpose and family presence.
The leadership principles behind building authentic relationships with players like Josh Norman and Luke Kuechly.
Connect & Support:
3T Foundation: Learn more about Coach Wilks' foundation and its upcoming "Dinner with a Purpose" event on November 13 in Charlotte at https://www.3tfoundation.info
UNPACKIN' it: Check out our weekly sports, faith, and Fantasy Football Fellowship podcasts.
Find out more about UNPACKIN' it Ministries: HERE
Subscribe to our YouTube channel! HERE
Click HERE to support UNPACKIN' it.
More episodes
View all episodes
How to Bounce Back From a Loss | NFL Week 1 Reactions & Overcoming Sin
51:27|NFL Week 1 is officially in the books, and 16 teams are sitting at 0-1!In this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Pastor Trip Smith react to a wild, high-scoring opening week of football.From surprising wins by the Giants and Vikings to concerning starts for the Chargers and Browns, they break down what week one really means for teams looking to turn things around.Then, they unpack the spiritual parallel: When we mess up or fall into sin, how do we respond? Do we let one mistake snowball into a losing streak, or do we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to reset, confess, and walk forward in grace?In this episode, we unpack:NFL Week 1 Overreactions & Surprises: Giants hype, Chiefs statement, Chargers stumbles, and Panthers defense concerns.The 0-1 Dilemma: Why a single loss doesn't mean your season (or identity) is defined as a failure.Faith & Life Application: Taking sin seriously without wallowing in shame or losing your identity in Christ.Walking by the Spirit: How to preemptively depend on God instead of treating Him like a "spiritual physical therapist."CONNECT & SUPPORT:Learn more about winter sports ministry opportunities at upward.org/unpackSubscribe for weekly sports, faith, and life content!How To Be A Great Friend | Special Sermon From Bryce Johnson
41:52|In this message, Bryce Johnson of UNPACKIN' it Ministries breaks down what it takes to experience deep, real, and thriving friendships - both with Jesus and with the people in our lives.Drawing from John 15 and his own experiences in sports media, Bryce challenges us to stop "holding on to the side of the pool" and go deep in our relationships.The 4 I's of Being a Great Friend:Invest: Pay the price of friendship by giving of yourself, avoiding isolation, and choosing wise, Jesus-centered connections.Initiate: Make the first move, embrace vulnerability, and pursue deeper conversations, authenticity, and mutual confession.Inquire: Show genuine care by asking meaningful questions, listening intently, and taking an interest in others' lives.Intentional: Purposefully schedule time, encourage one another, and build lasting relationships instead of settling for surface-level interactions.When our friendship with Jesus serves as our foundation, it transforms how we love, serve, and connect with everyone around us.What Do You Need To CUT From Your Life?
01:04:16|It’s that time of the year in the NFL - teams are trimming their rosters down to 53 players and releasing over 1,100 athletes to prepare for the regular season. In this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Pastor Trip Smith unpack the latest NFL roster cuts, break down division predictions, and share their Super Bowl picks.More importantly, they look at the powerful faith parallel: Just as NFL GMs refine and prune their rosters to field the best team, what do we need to release, cut out, or let go of in our own lives? From sin and bad habits to bitterness and envy, true growth often comes through subtraction, not just addition.🔗 CONNECT & LINKS MENTIONED:• Join our Fantasy League: https://unpackinit.com/fantasy• Partner with Upward Sports: https://upward.org/unpack• Visit the Website: https://unpackinit.com• Email Bryce: Bryce@unpackinit.com💬 QUESTION OF THE DAY: Who is your pick to win the Super Bowl this season, and which division winner are you most confident in? Let us know in the comments below!Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this video with a friend! 📌Overcoming the Comparison Trap & Embracing Mentorship
01:04:37|The NFL season is almost here, and quarterback battles are heating up across the league! Join Bryce Johnson and Pastor Trip Smith on this week's UNPACKIN' it podcast as they dive into the fascinating dynamics of NFL quarterback rooms - from the Browns' situation to the Atlanta Falcons' battle between Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., and underdog Jack Strand.More importantly, how do these competitive environments parallel our daily lives as followers of Jesus? Bryce and Tripp break down:How to escape the "snare to compare" and focus on your own lane.The three D's of comparison: Distraction, Discouragement, and Diminishment.Matthew Stafford's powerful example of mentoring rookie Ty Simpson with the Rams.How biblical discipleship helps us outdo one another in showing honor.🔗 Get Connected:Join our Fantasy football league: unpackinit.com/fantasyPartner with Upward Sports: upward.org/unpackSubscribe to the Devotional: unpackinit.com👍 Don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe to help spread the word!We Are Called to Be Different
52:28|In this episode of The UNPACKIN' it Podcast, hosts Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith dive into the week one action of the NFL preseason!NFL training camps are rolling, players are making noise, and coaches are taking notice. From rookies turning heads to veterans holding down their spots, Bryce and Trip discuss who is standing out on the field — and what that means for our own lives.In this episode, we unpack...NFL Preseason Highlights: The guys break down performances from rookies like Fernando Mendoza (Raiders), Ty Simpson (Rams), Drew Aller (Steelers), KC Concepcion (Browns), and Emmett Johnson (Chiefs).Plus, they take a look at DJ Moore's connection with Josh Allen in Buffalo and David Bailey's impact on the Jets' defense.Life & Faith Parallel: Just as players try to distinguish themselves during training camp, what does it mean for followers of Jesus to "stand out" in the world?Living a Holy Life: Bryce and Trip explore Scripture passages like Matthew 5:14–16 and 1 Peter 1:15–16 to break down how to live set-apart, Spirit-filled lives that reflect God's light, love, and character to those around us.Check out these links to connect with us:🏈 Play Fantasy Football with us: Visit unpackinit.com/fantasy to join a league alongside Bryce, Tripp, and other listeners.🤝 Fantasy Football Fellowship: Bring FFF content to your local league or church at fantasyfootballfellowship.com.🏀 Sponsor Highlight - Upward Sports: Bring an intentional basketball ministry to your church this winter. Learn more at upward.org/unpack.📖 Daily Devotionals: Read our written devotionals released every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at unpackinit.com.If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Comment, Share, and Subscribe to help us continue growing the channel!Navigating Pressure In Life With God's Guidance | The NFL's Hot Seat
57:32|NFL training camps and preseason games are officially underway, bringing excitement, high expectations, and intense pressure.In this episode of the UNPACKIN' it Podcast, Bryce Johnson and Tripp Smith break down the NFL coaches and quarterbacks sitting in the hot seat this season - including Shane Steichen, Aaron Glenn, Zac Taylor, Nick Sirianni, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen.They explore the sports parallels to life and faith: How do we handle the pressure to perform, meet expectations, and prove our worth? While world standards place us in a constant "hot seat," the gospel offers a very different story.Drawing from Scripture (including Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 3:1, Psalm 94:19, and Romans 8:38-39), Bryce and Trip discuss the concept of "the session of Christ" and how believers are given true identity, rest, and soul security in Jesus.Fantasy Football Fellowship: Bring purpose to your league this season!Join today at fantasyfootballfellowship.com.Upward Sports: Partner with Upward to build an intentional winter basketball ministry at your church.Learn more at upward.org/unpackGlu App: Stream and connect on the Glu network.Contact Us: Have questions or want to learn more about following Jesus? Email Bryce at bryce@unpackingit.com.Don't forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to stay updated with new episodes!How to Stop Doing "Dumb Things" and Live with Wisdom
40:50|Do you ever do dumb things? You’re not alone. In this episode of The UNPACKIN' it Podcast, host Bryce Johnson dives into New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo’s viral offseason backflip and how even top athletes struggle with reckless decisions.Using Skattebo’s lesson as a backdrop, Bryce unpacks the biblical difference between living a foolish life and walking in God's wisdom. Plus, he discusses the Hall of Fame inductees, Carolina Panthers backup QB Kenny Pickett, and whether a head coach can win a Super Bowl with two different franchises.Key Topics Covered:Cam Skattebo's FanFest Backflip: Learning restraint after reckless decisions.Wisdom vs. Foolishness: What Proverbs and Ephesians teach us about stopping patterns of stupidity and yielding to the Holy Spirit.NFL News & Debates: Who is the most likable NFL player of all time?Super Bowl History: The stats behind head coaches changing franchises.Episode Links & Resources:Visit our sponsor: upward.org/unpack to start or grow a sports ministry at your church.Have thoughts on the most likable NFL player? Email Bryce at bryce@unpackinit.com.If you enjoyed this devotional and sports breakdown, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share!Summer Sports Movie Series | Invincible Movie Review & Faith Discussion
01:08:05|What does it take to go from a 30-year-old season ticket holder in the stands to a player in an NFL locker room? In this episode of The UNPACKIN' it Podcast, host Bryce Johnson and Trip Smith unpack the true-story sports movie Invincible, starring Mark Wahlberg as Philadelphia Eagles legend Vince Papale. Together, they discuss:🏈 The incredible true story of Vince Papale making the Eagles roster at age 30.🎥 How *Invincible* compares to other classic sports movies like *Miracle* and *Rudy.*🏆 Trip and Bryce's final rankings of their Summer Sports Movie Series (including *F1* and *Field of Dreams*).🤝 The power of community, asking for help, being a "3 AM friend" when times get tough, and celebrating when people do well and supporting each other when we need it.Scripture Reference:📖 Matthew 5:42 – "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."--------------------------------------------------🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:• Fantasy Football Fellowship: https://fantasyfootballfellowship.com• Sign up for the free UnPackin' It Devotional: https://unpackinit.com• Support for this show is brought to you by Upward Sports: https://upward.org/unpack📲 CONNECT WITH US:• Website: https://unpackinit.com• Email suggestions & questions: bryce@unpackinit.comDon't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and leave a comment telling us: What’s your favorite sports movie of all time?