Pittsburgh Steelers RB Coach Kirby Wilson To Interview For Baltimore Ravens OC Job
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Steelers could suffer a potential loss on their coaching staff, and it could come at the hands of their biggest rival.
The Baltimore Ravens have asked for and received permission from the Steelers to interview running backs coach Kirby Wilson for the team’s open offensive coordinator position. That role opened up when Jim Caldwell was hired by the Detroit Lions as their head coach earlier this offseason.
Jun 11, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson (left) instructs as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (right) listens during minicamp at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Wilson has some competition for the job as Baltimore has also interviewed the likes of former St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan, Ravens wide receivers coach Jim Hostler and former Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
It would seem that Wilson would be a longshot, having never served as a coordinator before, but if he interviews well, the chance to weaken the Steelers a bit could possibly entice Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
However, it was widely thought of to be a certainty that Wilson would have replaced the departed Bruce Arians before Wilson was badly burned in a fire two years ago.
Since he has been with the Steelers in 2007, Wilson has seen several types of offenses come and go and has overseen plenty of running backs, ranging from high draft picks in Rashard Mendenhall and Le’Veon Bell, to undrafted free agents like Isaac Redman.
Whichever direction the Ravens choose to go, it will be their third offensive coordinator in as many seasons.
Wilson is expected to interview for the job later this week.