Personal: The 2007 season marks Downing's third year as a member of the coaching staff at Winston-Salem State University. His primary responsibility will be working with the WSSU safeties and defensive backs. Coach Kevin Downing was born on October 5, 1982 in Edenton, NC and is the son of Andy and Jonathan Downing. He attended high school at John A. Holmes High School in Edenton, NC. In 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, NC where he received his B.S in Health and Physical Education. He was a member of the Eagle football team in 2001 and 2002 playing defensive end for the 2001 NCCU 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 a highly competitive football career. Coach Downing is married to his wife of seven months, the former Nia N. Patterson of Durham, NC and is currently pursuing his M.A. degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at WSSU. The couple resides in Greensboro, NC.