Long-time N.C. State assistant Des Kitchings was added to South Carolina's football staff Friday morning.
The university's Board of Trustees Executive and Governance Committee approved via teleconference a one-year contract worth $300,000 for Kitchings, who will coach the Gamecocks' running backs.
"We're excited to add Des to the staff," head coach 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."
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Kitchings' contract also includes bonuses for certain team accomplishes and an automobile allowance.
Kitchings joins the South Carolina staff after wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon left earlier this month to join the staff at Oregon.
"I'm very excited to come to South Carolina for several reasons," said Kitchings. "One, to join Coach Muschamp and his staff. I've been impressed watching what they've been doing to build the program and I look forward to being part of that staff. Secondly, I'm excited about returning to my home state. Personally, it's a blessing for me to be closer to my parents and family in South Carolina. I'm also excited about coaching that room," continued Kitchings. "They have recruited well and there are some young, talented backs on the roster that I'm looking forward to coaching and helping the Gamecocks win games."
The Gamecocks will then shift Joe Cox to wide receivers and Bobby Bentley back to tight ends, the school confirmed Friday afternoon.
Bentley and outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson had one-year contract extensions approved by the BOT on Friday.
A native of Wagener, S.C. and Furman graduate, Kitchings spent the last eight seasons at N.C. State in a number of roles.
Kitchings joined the N.C. State staff as running backs and tight ends coach under then-head coach Tom O'Brien in 2012 and was retained by Dave Doeren to coach running backs the next season.
In 2014, Kitchings added the recruiting coordinator title and by 2016 he added the assistant head coach title before being named co-offensive coordinator in 2019. He was not retained this offseason when N.C. State moved on from almost its entire offensive staff.
A productive recruiter with strong North Carolina ties, Kitchings produced three-straight1,000-yard rushers from 2016-18 (Matthew Dayes, Nyheim Hines and Reggie Gallaspy, Jr.).
Prior to his time at N.C. State, Kitchings spent a season at Air Force and three years at Vanderbilt where he helped develop running backs Warren Norman and Zac Stacy.
Kitchings is the youngest inductee into the Athletics Hall of Fame at Furman where he ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in receptions and returns.
2020 South Carolina Coaching Staff:
Will Muschamp Head Coach
Bobby Bentley Tight Ends Coach
Mike Bobo Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
Joe Cox Wide Receivers Coach
Des Kitchings Running Backs Coach
Kyle Krantz Special Teams Coordinator/Assistant Defensive Backs Coach
Mike Peterson Outside Linebackers Coach
Travaris Robinson Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach
Tracy Rocker Defensive Line Coach
Rod Wilson Linebackers Coach
Eric Wolford Offensive Line Coach
