The Ravens appear to be on the verge of hiring their next offensive coordinator after narrowing the search to two finalists on Saturday.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson was informed Saturday that he would not receive the job vacated by Jim Caldwell, who accepted the head coaching position with the Detroit Lions on Jan. 14. This leaves Ravens wide receivers coach Jim Hostler and former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan as the remaining finalists for the job.
It was later reported that Wilson would not be returning to Pittsburgh’s staff and will instead join the Minnesota Vikings under new head coach Mike Zimmer.
Shanahan and Hostler were each interviewed for a second time on Thursday while Wilson met with Ravens officials for a second interview on Friday. Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was confirmed as a candidate earlier in the week by head coach John Harbaugh but did not receive a second interview for the coordinator job.
The 34-year-old Shanahan carries more experience as an offensive coordinator after serving in that capacity for six seasons split between the Houston Texans and Washington. The son of two-time Super Bowl champion head coach Kyle Shanahan was considered to be on a fast track to his own head coaching job prior to the Redskins suffering a 3-13 season last year that resulted in both Shanahans losing their jobs.
Meanwhile, the 47-year-old Hostler served as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers in 2007, a season in which they finished last in the NFL in both yards and points scored. After being fired by the 49ers, Hostler was hired by Harbaugh and has coached the Baltimore wide receivers for the last six seasons.
Following the firing of Cam Cameron and the promotion of Caldwell to offensive coordinator on Dec. 10, 2012, Hostler saw an increased role in helping to develop the offensive game plan as the Ravens marched to their second Super Bowl championship less than two months later. He was also responsible for relaying calls to quarterback Joe Flacco from the sideline as Caldwell worked from the upstairs booth during games.
In addition to their offensive coordinator open, the Ravens must fill vacancies at quarterbacks coach, running backs coach, and secondary coach.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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