A SerDes corn link with a retiming receiver is operable in link training (LT) mode. A SerDes transmitter includes a TX FIR channel driver to transmit TX Data with TX pre-emphasis EQ based on TX FIR coefficients. The retiming receiver includes an RTE (retimer/reclocker) with an RT FIR driver outputting retimed RX Data based on RT FIR coefficients. A link training unit (LTU) adjusts RT FIR coefficients based on a comparison of impulse cursor information for RX Data signals received at the RTE input and re-timed RX Data signals output from the RT FIR, so that the adjusted RT FIR coefficients correspond to the TX FIR coefficients (including reflecting LT changes in TX pre-emphasis EQ). In effect, the LTU performs a linear FIR coefficient translation from the TX FIR to the RT FIR, propagating LT FIR coefficient changes from RTE input to output.