Kirby Keyes Wilson (born August 24, 1961) is an American football coach who was previously a running backs coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 23 seasons. He coached for the New England Patriots, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders. He was previously the head coach for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL).

Kirby Wilson
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Wilson with the Steelers in 2007
Personal information
Born: (1961-08-24) August 24, 1961 (age 63)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Career information
High school:Susan Miller Dorsey
(Los Angeles, California)
College:Illinois
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Head coaching record
Career:1–9 (.100)

Playing career

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High school

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Wilson prepped at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles.

College

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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

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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

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College

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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.

Before moving to the NFL, he coached Iowa State running back Troy Davis to a year where he ran for over 2,000 yards[1] in 1995 and over 2,100 yards[2] in 1996.

New England Patriots

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

Washington Redskins

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In 2000, Wilson was hired by the Washington Redskins as their running backs coach.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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

Arizona Cardinals

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

Pittsburgh Steelers

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In January 2007, Wilson was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers as their running backs coach, after the retirement of Dick Hoak. He was hired when Mike Tomlin took over the team, following Bill Cowher's resignation.[3]

Minnesota Vikings

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

Cleveland Browns

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

Return to Arizona

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

Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders

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

On July 16, 2021, Wilson announced his retirement.[4]

Pittsburgh Maulers

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On January 20, 2022, Wilson was named Head coach of the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL).[5]

Wilson cut running back De'Veon Smith for asking for pizza instead of chicken salad in the cafeteria. The absurdity of the situation led to Wilson being heavily criticized .[6]

Head coaching record

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
PIT 2022 1 9 0 .100 4th (North Division)
Total 10 0 0 .100

References

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  1. ^ "1995 Iowa State Cyclones Stats".
  2. ^ "1996 Iowa State Cyclones Stats".
  3. ^ Dulac, Gerry (January 30, 2007). "Tomlin's coaching staff is complete". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  4. ^ "Raiders RB Coach Kirby Wilson Retires". July 16, 2021.
  5. ^ Adamski, Chris (January 20, 2022). "Former Steelers assistant Kirby Wilson named head coach of USFL Pittsburgh Maulers". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  6. ^ Dator, James (April 18, 2022). "A USFL team cut a player for wanting pizza instead of garbage chicken salad". SB Nation. Retrieved June 2, 2022.