RECRUITING AREAS: Kentucky (Louisville), West Tennessee, Ohio (Dayton), Indiana, Oregon, Wyoming

A starter at cornerback and a two-time conference champion at Olivet (Mich.) - the alma mater of head coach Rob Tenyer too, Kirkendall came to MSU after a stint as a linebackers graduate assistant at Gardner-Webb. He is now in his second season on staff at MSU.

Prior to here he served as a defensive quality control coach at Eastern Kentucky in the spring of 2019 and the 2019 season. In his season at EKU, Kirkendall was part of a staff that helped the defense finish second in the OVC in points allowed, second in total defense, second in rushing defense and third in passing defense.  Eastern Kentucky was fifth in the nation in third down defense, seventh in fourth down defense, 11th in red-zone defense, 15th in rushing defense, 16th in total defense and 22nd in scoring defense in 2019. 

Kirkendall also coached the defensive backs and special teams at Florida Tech in 2018. The Panthers led all of Division II in scoring defense and advanced to the playoffs.

He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Olivet in 2017.