Desmond Kitchings Explained

Desmond Kitchings
Current Team:Virginia Cavaliers
Position:Offensive coordinator
Birth Date:July 19, 1978
Birth Place:Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
High School:Wagener-Salley (SC)[1]
College:Furman (1996–1999)
Draftyear:2000
Draftround:7
Draftpick:207
Pastteams:
Pastcoaching:
  • Furman (2004–2007)
    Tight ends coach & special teams coordinator
  • Vanderbilt (2008–2009)
    Running backs coach & special teams coordinator
  • Vanderbilt (2010)
    Co-offensive coordinator & running backs coach
  • Air Force (2011)
    Running backs coach
  • NC State (2012)
    Running backs coach & tight ends coach
  • NC State (2013–2015)
    Running backs coach
  • NC State (2016–2018)
    Assistant head coach & running backs coach
  • NC State (2019)
    Co-offensive coordinator & running backs coach
  • South Carolina (2020)
    Running backs coach
  • Atlanta Falcons
    Running backs coach
  • Virginia (2022–present)
    Offensive coordinator & tight ends coach

Desmond "Des" Kitchings (born July 19, 1978) is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is currently the offensive coordinator for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Playing career

Kitchings played as a receiver/return specialist at Furman University. He averaged 29.3 yards per kick return and set a school record of four kick returns for touchdowns. Kitchings was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2000 NFL draft, but never played in the pro leagues.[3] [4] [5] [6]

Coaching career

Kitchings began his coaching career at Furman, working as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator from 2004 to 2007. He then spent 3 seasons coaching at Vanderbilt[7] serving one of them as the offensive coordinator.[8] After spending 2011 at Air Force, he went on to coach 8 seasons at NC State.[9] In 2020[10] he served as the running backs coach for South Carolina.[11] In 2021 he was named the running backs coach[12] for the Atlanta Falcons.[13] After week 17 of Kitching's first year with the Falcons, it was announced that he would become the offensive coordinator for the Virginia Cavaliers.[14]

Personal life

Kitchings and his wife, Heather, have three children all whose names begin with the letter A.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020-06-12. A true Palmetto State product: Des Kitchings’ journey from small-town SC to Gamecocks. 2024-02-12. The State. en-US.
  2. Web site: Desmond Kitchings . Pro Sports Transactions . 24 July 2024.
  3. Web site: Untitled Document. 2021-02-28. eweb.furman.edu.
  4. Web site: Serby. Steve. 2001-08-17. WINGS AND A PRAYER – HAIL MARY PUTS KITCHINGS IN JET WR HUNT. 2021-02-28. New York Post. en-US.
  5. Web site: Desmond Kitchings Stats, News and Video - WR. 2021-02-28. NFL.com. en-US.
  6. Web site: 2000 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-03-19 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  7. Web site: 2008-03-10. Johnson promotes two assistants as Commodores prepare for Spring Practice. 2021-02-28. Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website. en-US.
  8. Web site: 2014-08-21. Des Kitchings. 2021-02-28. Saturday Down South. en-US.
  9. Web site: Muma. Steven. 2019-12-28. NC State co-offensive coordinator Des Kitchings will not return in 2020. 2021-02-28. Backing The Pack. en.
  10. Web site: Associated Press. 2020-04-24. South Carolina hires Des Kitchings as running backs coach. 2021-02-28. WCIV.
  11. Web site: South Carolina football: Gamecocks adding Des Kitchings to staff. 2021-02-28. southcarolina.n.rivals.com. 23 April 2020 .
  12. Web site: Falcons hire Desmond Kitchings as RBs coach. 2021-02-28. www.msn.com.
  13. Web site: 2021-01-28. Falcons hire Desmond Kitchings as RBs coach. 2021-02-28. Falcons Wire. en-US.
  14. News: Kitchings leaves Falcons for OC job at UVA. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ledbetter. D. Orlando.