RUN TO WIN
New RB coach Des Kitchings likes what he sees in Gamecock backfield
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By Jeff Owens | Executive Editor • Photos courtesy of SC Athletics ew South Carolina running backs coach Des Kitchings had been on the job for more than a week and he still had not seen or talked football with any of his Gamecock running backs. South Carolina athletes were in the middle of exams when Kitchings was hired in April and not allowed to have the type of video-conference meetings that have now become the new norm in college athletics. Kitchings, who was hired on April 24, was still in Raleigh, waiting for the stay-at-home orders in North and South Carolina to be lifted so he could move to Columbia. 14 FOOTBALL • DES KITCHINGS
But the latest addition to head coach Will Muschamp’s staff is very familiar with South Carolina’s young running backs and was able to watch film of the players he will be working with. He immediately liked what he saw. “Obviously, [freshman] MarShawn [Lloyd] is as advertised, so I look forward to working with him,” he said. “There were only five practices this spring but … you saw some flashes both with Kevin [Harris] and Deshaun [Fenwick] as far as guys coming back. I like what I see there.” He is also intrigued by Colorado State transfer Adam Prentice, a hybrid full back/H-back Kitchings says “will play a big role with our offense.”
“Those are some guys you study and say, ‘OK, they have some skill and ability, now let’s get together and work together to try to refine that.” A native of Wagener, S.C., Kitchings has spent the past eight seasons at NC State, where he produced three straight 1,000-yard rushers from 2016-18. He was also the recruiting coordinator, tight ends coach, co-offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for offense for the Wolfpack. The Furman graduate has also coached at Vanderbilt and Air Force since beginning his 16-year coaching career with his alma mater in 2004. Muschamp began talking to the highly-regarded coach early
this year after the departure of former running backs coach Thomas Brown. Then, after the hiring of new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and assistant coach Joe Cox, Muschamp contacted Kitchings again in April when former offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon left for Oregon. With the addition of Kitchings, Cox moves to wide receivers coach while assistant Bobby Bentley will move back to tight ends. “We’re excited to add Des to the staff,” Muschamp said. “I was impressed by him in the interview process, with his history with running back play and with his ties in the state of North Carolina, which should be a huge asset in recruiting. He was endorsed by everyone he has worked with and we are fortunate to bring him back to his home state.” With his parents still living in Wagener and other family throughout the state, Kitchings is excited to be returning to his home state. But he’s also excited by the potential he sees at South Carolina. “You are just seeing the growth of the program and facilities and the things coach Muschamp is trying to do here and the guys he has brought on with his staff,” said Kitchings, who coached against the Gamecocks in Charlotte in the 2017 season opener. “The SEC speaks for itself as far as the type of competitive conference. As a coach, we all want to be in the most competitive environment we can be in and this allows me the opportunity to do that.” A standout receiver and return specialist at Furman, Kitchings calls himself an “easy-going” but “ultra competitive” coach. “I demand a lot of my guys and push them hard,” he said. “The goal is to make practice harder than what the game would be. From the time we step on the practice field until the time we leave, just demanding the most from them so that on Saturday it’s second nature for them to go out and compete.” Kitchings worked with elite running backs Warren Norman and Zac Stacy at Vanderbilt from 2008-10 and developed 1,000-yard rushers Matthew Dayes, Nyheim Hines and Reggie Gallaspy at NC State. Hines was first-team AllACC after leading the conference
MAY 2020
