Kevin Downing
Assistant Coach (Safeties)
Sixth Season at WSSU
Alma Mater - North Carolina Central University '04

Kevin Downing will rejoin the Rams' football program for his sixth season in 2010 as a member of the coaching staff at Winston-Salem State University where his primary responsibility will be working with the WSSU safeties.

After five seasons as the Rams' wide receivers coach, Downing has been retained by new head football coach Connell Maynor and will focus his efforts with the coaching of the safeties.

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 Jonthan 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. His expertise and tireless work ethic has earned him a place on new WSSU football coach Connell Maynor's staff where he will look to continue to develop talent and build relationships with WSSU student-athletes.

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.

Maynor on Downing: "Kevin is, simply put, a great football coach. He can coach both sides of the ball, and from the numerous capacities that he has occupied on the previous coaching staff, he proves that he brings a wealth of knowledge to this football program. He is an invaluable addition to the staff both on the field and off as his operational knowledge of the program and his work in recruiting will greatly help us. He will serve as our assistant recruiting coordinator as well."