Oct. 25, 2010
Caldwell Addresses Offensive Changes | Kitchings Press Conference
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt Head Coach Robbie Caldwell announced on Monday that third-year Assistant Coach Des Kitchings has been elevated to offensive coordinator, effective immediately.
Kitchings, who will maintain his role as the team’s running backs coach, assumes the play-calling duties from Jimmy Kiser, who was named offensive coordinator by former Head Coach Bobby Johnson in the offseason. Kiser will continue to coach the team’s quarterbacks.
“I spoke to our coaches and our staff and came to the decision to make Des Kitchings our offensive coordinator,” Caldwell said. “Des is a great coach, who is a student of the game. He has a great deal of experience and has paid his dues here. In my years of coaching, I’ve never seen someone take to it as quickly as he has. He is excited and our staff is excited. I think our players will be refreshed and ready to play for him.”
Before his elevation, Kitchings served as the team’s running-game coordinator, in addition to mentoring the team’s running backs. In 2009 Kitchings also held the title of co-special teams coordinator. A native of Wagener, S.C., Kitchings helped sophomore running back Warren Norman earn SEC Freshman of the Year honors last year after compiling the second-most rushing yards of any freshman in school history.
Kitchings takes over the play-calling duties for an offense that currently ranks last in the SEC in points per game and yards per game. After scoring 52 points in a win against Eastern Michigan, the Commodores have been held to seven points in its last two games.
Kitchings was a standout wide receiver and return specialist at Furman. Kitchings became the youngest inductee into the Furman Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. Kitchings entered the Hall of Fame the same year as Johnson.
The Commodores, 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the SEC, hit the road this weekend to face Arkansas at 6 p.m. Saturday in Fayetteville.
