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.

Last week’s big news was that longtime Steelers Running Backs Coach Kirby Wilson was a leading candidate for the Ravens offensive coordinator opening. As we know, Wilson didn’t get the job, but went on to make a lateral move joining the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff.

Yesterday on ESPN’s NFL Insiders, Adam Schefter told the panel that Kirby Wilson sat for over 12 hours worth of meetings with the Ravens. Schefter went on to say that the interviews were basically tutorial sessions for the Ravens. The reporter also revealed that Wilson basically outlined to the Ravens how the Steelers run, and how they like their running game to be.

While it seems unlikely that the Steelers would be unprepared for the inevitable exchange of information, one has to wonder how much the Ravens gained from the exchange. Obviously, no one knows more about the Steelers running game than Kirby Wilson. If the accounts of Wilson’s desire to leave the team are true, then he would have had little to lose from divulging all that John Harbaugh wanted to know.

There haven’t been any reports as of yet as to who the next Steelers running backs coach will be. If they hire from within, I could see this being somewhat of an issue. Having said that, the hiring of Mike Munchak as the new offensive line coach should make a lot of Wilson’s “tutorial” a lot less valuable. It’s no secret that the Steelers have been wanting to incorporate outside zone blocking into their running game, and the hiring of Munchak will take those plans to a new plane.

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While there hasn’t been an official announcement from the Steelers organization, Kirby Wilson’s departure is all but announced. Ian Rapoport shared some of what Kirby Wilson had to say about the Steelers.

According to Rapoport, Wilson thanked Tomlin and the Steelers “family”, saying that they “were integral in my recovery from my accident 2 years ago.” On leaving Pittsburgh Wilson said, “I got to a point in the progression of my career where I felt a change of scenery might be best for all parties.” Wilson also called the Steelers “the class of the NFL.” He closed by saying thanks to the fans.

“Lastly, a big thank you to Steelers Nation… the best fans in the NFL.”

ESPN’s Scott Brown confirms that Wilson is leaving and taking a lateral move to the Vikings for their running backs coaching opening. Brown also says that the Steelers gave Wilson permission to pursue other positions in the NFL.

Man I’m going to miss my dawg coach kirb

— Jonathan Dwyer (@JDwyer27) January 25, 2014

This may be more of a rumor than a report at this point, but Ed Bouchette is reporting that even though Kirby Wilson was not hired as the Ravens offensive coordinator, he will not be returning to the Steelers.

While Kirby Wilson did not get the OC job w Ravens, he won’t return to Steelers. He has decided to leave Mike Tomlin’s staff

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) January 25, 2014

This may be true, though, Ed did say that he was hired by the Ravens this morning when in fact the Ravens decided they were going with one of the other candidates. Bouchette goes on to say that Wilson is expected to join the Vikings staff in some capacity. Which coaching position and expected by whom you ask? I couldn’t say.

Kirby Wilson leaving Steelers staff. Expected to join Vikings new staff under Mike Zimmer.

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) January 25, 2014

Jason La Canfora offered up some of his own thoughts on the Wilson situation.

Many people figure the Ravens looking at Kirby Wilson as more a fit for their RB opening than OC job. Could end up being the case …

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 25, 2014

He doesn’t have a future with the Steelers with that situation turning sour. Vikings, Redskins also looking for RB coaches

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 25, 2014

I couldn’t say what La Canfora is talking about with the situation getting sour. I’ve not seen a single report of that. He himself neglected to mention anything of that nature when discussing Wilson as a candidate for the Titans OC position.

Wilson is under contract with the Steelers, so without permission, he is not free to interview with other teams. There have been no reports of requests outside of the Ravens coordinator position. We’ll know more soon I’m sure, and it could very well be true, but I doubt we’ve seen the end of journalists speculating on this.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Kirby Wilson is scheduled for a second interview with the Ravens tomorrow. The Sun reports that according to team sources, Wilson’s first interview went very well and the Ravens want to have him in for a second interview on Friday. Wilson interviewed for their offensive coordinator position yesterday. The team source reportedly labeled Wilson a “very serious candidate.”

John Wooten, executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, told The Baltimore Sun, “Kirby feels very good about it and would do an excellent job for the Ravens. Kirby knows the Ravens very well and he has a ton of great ideas. He knows the division. He has a lot of energy and is an excellent football coach who’s very deserving of an opportunity.”

The Ravens are also having Kyle Shanahan in for a second interview today. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Ravens hired him.

According to the Ravens team website, John Harbaugh says that Steelers Running Backs Coach Kirby Wilson will be interviewing for the Ravens offensive coordinator opening later this week. The Ravens have interviewed several candidates for the opening, including former Redskins Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and former Lions Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan.

Wilson was rumored to be one of the top candidates for the Titans offensive coordinator opening, but the Titans never requested an interview with him. Kirby Wilson was involved in offensive game planning last season, and Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome has recently stated that the Ravens have been disappointed with their run game as of late, so that could perhaps explain their interest in Wilson. Of course, it may also just be a little due diligence of sorts.

Wilson is under contract, so the Steelers would have had to grant the Ravens permission to interview him.

*Update  Bob Labriola confirms that the Steelers granted the Ravens permission to interview Wilson.

**2nd Update Ed Bouchette reports that Wilson’s interview is tomorrow.

The Tennessee Titans have announced the hiring of Jason Michael as their new offensive coordinator.

The #Titans have named Jason Michael as offensive coordinator.

— Tennessee Titans (@TennesseeTitans) January 17, 2014

Michael was the tight ends coach for the San Diego Chargers where Ken Whisenhunt was offensive coordinator last year. There were rumors that Steelers Running Backs Coach Kirby Wilson was at the top of the list of potential candidates for the opening for whatever reason, but the Titans never requested an interview. So much for that one I guess.

Add another Steelers assistant coach to the list of rumored potential Tennessee Titans coordinators. Jason La Canfora says he’s told that Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson is a possible offensive coordinator candidate in Tennessee.

https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/statuses/423122838095400960

Kirby Wilson was rumored to be the next in line to replace Bruce Arians before he was hospitalized from burns he suffered in a house fire. While it does seem to come out of left field, it doesn’t seem quite as far fetched as it would have a year ago. Recent reports indicated that Wilson was involved in offensive game planning this past season.

Nonetheless, Wilson has no NFL experience as an offensive coordinator. With Whisenhunt’s status climbing to near iconic levels recently, it would stand to reason that he could have his pick of the top available offensive minds. While it is a bit of a head scratcher, stranger things have happened.