Freddie Kitchens
Track Record:
Glenville State (RBs/TEs) — 1999
LSU (Grad Assistant) — 2000
North Texas (RBs) — 2001-03
Mississippi State (TEs) — 2004
Mississippi State (RBs) — 2005
Dallas Cowboys (TEs) — 2006
Arizona Cardinals (TEs) — 2007-12
Arizona Cardinals (QBs) — 2013-16
Arizona Cardinals (RBs) — 2017
Cleveland Browns (RBs/Associate HC/Interim OC) — 2018-present
Pros: Kitchens was Mississippi State’s tight ends coach in 2004 and moved to their running backs coach in 2005. After that, he made the leap to the NFL and has coached for the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns. This year has been his first as an offensive coordinator, and he was just recently promoted to that position after Cleveland fired their previous OC. And even though he’s had success as the interim play-caller, it’s not believed he’ll be retained after the season. Pruitt knows Kitchens too.
Cons/Questions: Kitchens’ lack of play-calling experience has to be his biggest drawback. His NFL experience and time in the SEC are certainly big appeals, but he’s never called plays at the collegiate level. This is his first time calling plays, and he’s having success doing it, but it’s easier to look good with a guy like Baker Mayfield as your quarterback. There’s also no guarantee he’ll come back to college either. He’s been in the NFL for over a decade now.
