Kirby Wilson

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).

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.

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.

Before moving to the NFL, he coached Iowa State running back 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
In 2000, Wilson was hired by the Washington Redskins as their running backs coach.

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

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

Pittsburgh Steelers
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.

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

Cleveland Browns
In 2016, 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.

On July 16, 2021, Wilson announced his retirement.

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

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.