Raiders running backs coach Kirby Wilson retires

Raiders running backs coach Kirby Wilson has retired (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Wilson exits after several decades on the sidelines — 15+ years in the college ranks and roughly 20 years in the pros.

Wilson’s first NFL coaching job came with the Patriots in 1997, during Pete Carroll’s tenure. Then, when Carroll went to USC, he brought Wilson along with him to coach the wide receivers. Wilson went back to the NFL in 2002, served as a running backs coach for seven teams over 19 seasons. The Raiders picked him up in 2019, uniting him with Jon Gruden for the second time in his career.

His retirement comes as something of a surprise, considering that he was a candidate for the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator post just a few months ago. Carroll ultimately went with the younger Shane Waldron.

With training camp just a few short weeks away, the Raiders will look to fill the role quickly.