South Gwinnett News

The Atlanta Falcons will be searching for a new running backs coach for next season because their current one will become a coordinator for a collegiate team.

According to the team, running backs coach Desmond Kitchings has left the franchise to become the University of Virginia's offensive coordinator.

Head coach Art Smith told the team's website that the University of Virginia was getting a great coach in Kitchings.

"He's a smart coach," Smith said. "He communicates well and understands how to provide value every week, coming up with ideas and getting his guys ready to go. He'll be missed around here, but it's one heck of an opportunity for him."

According to the Falcons, Kitchings will not be with the team in Sunday’s regular season finale against the New Orleans Saints.

“Kitchings, a native of Wagener, South Carolina, spent eight seasons coaching the running backs at North Carolina State. He had the additional duties as the tight ends coach in 2012, as the recruiting coordinator from 2014-18, as the assistant head coach for offense from 2016-18 and as the co-offensive coordinator in 2019,” a University of Virginia press release said.

One of the highlights of the Falcons season was veteran Cordarrelle Patterson having a career year at running back, which the team attributed to Kitchings.

Kitchings returns to college coaching after one year in the pros, which he already has a storied tenure in the collegiate ranks, according to the team.

According to the University of Virginia, Kitchings had a stellar career as wide receiver/return specialist at Furman where he aided the Paladins to a Southern Conference title in 1999 and ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in receptions and returns, averaging 29.3 yards per kick return, the second-best mark in conference history, including a school-record four kick returns for touchdowns