N.C. State Pros

Desmond Kitchings at Air Force Academy

NC State head coach Tom O’Brien has hired ex Air Force Academy running backs coach Desmond Kitchings as the new running backs coach replacing Everette Sands who left for the University of South Carolina. Kitchings played college football at Furman University as a wide receiver and kick returner helping Furman win the Southern Conference his senior year. He was a consensus All-Southern Conference selection as well as an All-American as a returner his senior year. Kitchings was the youngest person ever elected to the Furman Athletic Hall of Fame also earning a B.S. degree in health and exercise. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2000 NFL Draft and spent several seasons on the practice squad of numerous teams.

Kitchings started his coaching career at his alma mater, Furman, coaching the tight ends and special teams from 2004–2007. Then he went on to Vanderbilt University where he served as running backs coach from 2008-2010. During the 2010 season he also served as the Commodores offensive coordinator. In 2011 Kitchings was the running backs coach at the Air Force Academy where he led them to be ranked 3rd nationally in rushing.  Kitchings a native of Wagener, South Carolina will not only be an asset in coaching but will also be a huge help in recruiting with his ties to the south.