Kirby Wilson


Kirby Keyes Wilson is an American football coach who serves as the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins and New England Patriots.

Playing career

High school

Wilson prepped at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles.

College

Wilson played at the University of Illinois after transferring from Pasadena City College.
He obtained a bachelor of arts degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1989.

Canadian Football League

Wilson played two seasons in the Canadian Football League as a defensive back and kick returner for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts between 1983 and 1984.

Coaching career

College

At the college level, Wilson has coached at Pasadena City College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Southern Illinois, Wyoming, USC and Iowa State. Kirby is a member of Iota Phi Theta fraternity.
Prior to making the jump to the NFL, he coached Iowa State RB Troy Davis to a year where he ran for over 2,000 yards in 1995 and over 2,100 yards in 1996.

New England Patriots

In 1997, Wilson was hired by the New England Patriots as their running backs coach.

Washington Redskins

Wilson was then hired by the Washington Redskins in 2000 and served in the same position as he did with the Patriots.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2002, Wilson was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their running backs coach.

Arizona Cardinals

Wilson was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as their running backs coach in 2004.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Wilson was hired in January 2007 as the Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach after Dick Hoak retired. He was hired when Mike Tomlin took over the team after Bill Cowher resigned early in 2007.

Minnesota Vikings

In 2014, Wilson was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as their running backs coach.

Cleveland Browns

In 2016, Kirby Wilson was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their running backs coach.

Return to Arizona

On February 14, 2018, Wilson returned to the Arizona Cardinals after they hired him as their running backs coach.

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

On February 15, 2019 Wilson was hired by the Oakland Raiders as their running backs coach.

Personal life

In the early morning hours of January 6, 2012, Wilson was injured after a fire broke out in his Seven Fields, PA home. Wilson was airlifted to UPMC Mercy where he was hospitalized for burn treatment.