The Minnesota Vikings are blocking running backs coach Kirby Wilson from taking a position with the Cleveland Browns.
According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Browns wanted to make Wilson their running game coordinator, which would qualify as a promotion. Minnesota, however, told Wilson he couldn’t go, with a source telling the Pioneer Press “Kirby is under contract. Period.”
“He’s disappointed, but he’s not going to jump up and down hooting and hollering,” said John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which promotes minority hiring in the NFL. “When a guy gets a chance to advance, the team should not deny him that because there’s only so many opportunities. My position is that the team should let the guy go. It was not a lateral move. We were talking about an elevation to running game coordinator.”
With new Browns coach Hue Jackson’s plan not to hire an offensive coordinator, Wilson could have been an influential part of Cleveland’s coaching staff. Putting together Cleveland’s running game would be a nice gig, particularly considering they have quarterback questions. Not only that, but Wilson is a gifted motivator of men. The Vikings are within their rights to do this, but it looks like rather poor form.
