Trenton Kirklin rejoined the Vanderbilt football staff as the quarterbacks coach in the spring of 2025 after serving as the offensive coordinator at Lipscomb Academy. 

Kirklin's first stint at Vandy was from 2022-24 as an offensive quality control coach and assistant quarterbacks coach, working closely with the Commodores' signal callers and offensive unit.

Before Vandy, Kirklin served as a high school coach, including a stint at Nashville’s Lipscomb Academy from 2019-21. During his first tenure at Lipscomb Academy, the Mustangs reached a state semifinal and state championship game while significantly increasing offensive production and recruiting growth. 

Before arriving in Nashville, Kirklin spent time as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at McKinney High School in Texas, while also serving as co-recruiting coordinator and a health teacher. Earlier stops at Hutto High School and New Braunfels Canyon High School saw him oversee record-setting offenses and develop elite quarterback talent, including helping produce Texas' Gatorade Player of the Year and one of the state's most prolific passing attacks.

The Borger, Texas, native got his start as a receivers and quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Tarleton State, from 2012-14. He helped a pair of Tarleton receivers to all-conference honors in 2012 and was responsible for weekly offensive breakdowns and scouting reports.

Kirklin was an all-state quarterback in high school at Borger and had signed to play at Tarleton, but an ankle injury ended his playing career. He graduated from Tarleton State in 2014 with a degree in kinesiology and exercise science.

Kirklin and his wife, Loren, reside in Brentwood with their two daughters, Camryn and Taylor, and son, Cade.