Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons
Reports: Virginia Hires Atlanta Falcons RB Coach Des Kitchings as Offensive Coordinator
Atlanta Falcons running backs coach Desmond Kitchings has been hired as the Virginia football offensive coordinator, as first reported by ESPN's Michael Rothstein on Monday afternoon. Rothstein reported that Falcons head coach Arthur Smith confirmed that Kitchings would be leaving to take the Virginia OC job immediately.
Kitchings, 43, is in his first season as the running backs coach in Atlanta, but he spent eight years as NC State's running backs coach and one season as South Carolina's running backs coach in 2020. After a one-season stint in the NFL, it seems Kitchings has been tabbed for a return to college football as new UVA head coach Tony Elliott's offensive coordinator.
"He's a smart coach, communicates well, understands how to provide value every week in terms of strategically coming up with ideas and getting his guys ready to go," said Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. "He's a good, smart coach. He'll be missed around here, but it's a heck of an opportunity for him."
Kitchings also held the position of co-offensive coordinator at Vanderbilt in 2010 and at NC State in 2019. Tony Elliott and Des Kitchings coached together on the staff at Furman in 2008.
Kitchings is the second new hire on Tony Elliott's Virginia football coaching staff, joining strength and conditioning coach Adam Smotherman, who Elliott hired from Clemson. Additionally, three coaches from former UVA head coach Bronco Mendenhall's coaching staff - wide receivers coach Marques Hagans, defensive line coach Clint Sintim, and offensive line coach Garett Tujague - have been retained by Elliott on the UVA coaching staff moving forward.
There are a number of positions on Elliott's coaching staff that still need to be filled, namely defensive coordinator. We expect to hear decisions on those positions in the near future.
Read more from Cavaliers Now
Watch: Rodney McLeod Makes Game-Winning Interception for Eagles
Daryl Dike Signs 4.5 Year Deal to Join West Bromwich Albion
Kihei Clark Leads Virginia to Huge Win in the Carrier Dome
Virginia Holds Off Boeheim Brothers, Wins at Syracuse 74-69
Kyle Guy Catches Fire in Miami Heat Debut
Top Virginia Cavaliers Sports Teams of 2021
Ronde Barber Named Finalist for 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame
