The 2009 season marks Downing's fifth year as a member of the coaching staff at Winston-Salem State University where his primary responsibility will be working with the WSSU wide receivers.

In 2009 Downing will welcome back the services of seven of the top 10 receivers from last season as the Rams return 66.3 percent of the receiving yardage from a 2008 team that posted a 3-8 record.

A complete coach who has worked tirelessly on relationship-building with his student-athletes, Downing has often been described by his peers and colleagues as having all the skills necessary to one day become a college head coach and is a true "rising star" in the coaching profession.

Born on Oct. 5, 1982 in Edenton, N.C., Downing is the son of Andy and Jonathan Downing. He attended high school at John A. Holmes High School in Edenton and his senior year he was a two sport all-conference selection in both football and basketball en route to All-Region honors during his senior season. Following his high school graduation, Downing attended college at North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. where he received his B.S in Health and Physical Education and was a member of the Eagle football team as a defensive back in 2001 and 2002.

Downing was an integral part of the 2001 NCCU football team whose defense finished ranked first in the nation.

In 2002 Coach Downing's career was cut short due to multiple knee surgeries making him unable to continue his highly competitive football career. Though unable to continue playing, Downing continued his scholastic pursuits and earned a B.S. in health and physical education from North Carolina Central in the summer of 2004.

Downing joined the WSSU coaching staff in 2005 and immediately made an impact with the Rams' defensive backs and safeties before making the full-time switch to coaching the wide receivers in 2007.

Coach Downing is married to his wife of nearly three years, the former Nia N. Patterson of Durham, N.C. and he is currently pursuing his M.A. degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at WSSU. The couple resides in Greensboro, N.C. and welcomed their first child, a son Kevin Lamon Downing, Jr. on June 13, 2008.