Virginia hires Atlanta Falcons RB coach, Des Kitchings as Elliott’s offensive coordinator

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Tony Elliott has hired his new offensive coordinator, Des Kitchings, according to Atlanta Falcons’ head coach Arthur Smith.

Smith confirmed the hire Monday, stating that Kitchings is immediately taking the Virginia OC job, and that the Falcons will coach their running backs “by committee” this week for their final regular-season game.

“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,” Smith told ESPN reporter Michael Rothstein, who covers the Falcons. “He’s a good, smart coach. He’ll be missed around here but it’s a heck of an opportunity for him.”

Kitchings, 43, returns to college football after one year on the NFL level. He has worked as a co-offensive coordinator twice during his coaching career, 2010 at Vanderbilt, and most recently at NC State in 2019.

Kitchings has coached at Furman, Vandy, Air Force, NC State and South Carolina.