[Audio] Kirby Wilson: Leaving The Steelers Was Goal Oriented

Former Steelers Running Backs Coach Kirby Wilson spoke publicly about leaving the team for the first time yesterday. Wilson was a guest on the The Fan morning show to talk about the Steelers, and his recent departure to the Vikings.

When asked if there was truth to the rumors about having issues with Todd Haley, Wilson said, “Not at all. Todd’s an excellent football coach. My relationship with Todd, as well as the other coaches, was very good and there was never an issue behind closed doors, there was never an issue on the field in front of the players. We were always professional.”

Wilson continued, giving praise to Haley and Mike Tomlin. “Coach Tomlin did a great job of making sure that every coach had input,” he said. “And I thought Todd did an outstanding job of delegating that.” While the questions were quite candid, Wilson gave no hints that his departure was for any reason other than hope for advancement.

“I’m no different from a beat writer that wants to be an editor, or someone that works at the post office, or someone that works at Giant Eagle, or at PNC Bank. You’re always looking to better yourself and for an opportunity to advance, and that’s solely what it was. I definitely aspire to be an offensive coordinator, and that’s something I’ve worked for a very long time, to become one. And hopefully one day that will happen.”

He said his history and relationship with Norv Turner was what ultimately drove him to take the job in Minnesota. “The relationship with Norv was what it was all about. The fact that AP was the running back here is the bonus. It’s kind of like the icing on the cake, that’s a luxury. I would have gone with Norv no matter where it might have been had the same opportunity been available someplace else.”

You can listen to the whole interview below.