COACHING STAFF
DARNELL DINKINS TIGHT ENDS Former NFL tight end Darnell Dinkins enters his first year as tight ends coach at Rutgers. After playing for eight seasons with four different organizations in the NFL, the Pittsburgh native joins Kyle Flood’s coaching staff after spending the 2010 season as assistant tight ends coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dinkins won a Super Bowl ring in 2009 as a member of the New Orleans Saints. His professional playing career began in 2002 after the New York Giants signed him as a free agent. He spent parts of three seasons with the Giants until the Baltimore Ravens signed him in October of 2004. Dinkins spent two seasons with the Ravens, scoring his first career touchdown vs. the Cowboys in 2004. Dinkins was signed by the Cleveland Browns in 2006 and appeared in 14 games in his first season with the Browns. He spent three years with the Browns before he played the 2009 campaign with the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. Prior to his eight-year NFL career, Dinkins was a three-year starter at free safety in college for Pittsburgh. He came to Pitt as a quarterback before moving to free safety on the collegiate level. Off the field, Dinkins established the Maleness to Manhood Foundation to benefit inner-city youth. He was also a finalist in 2005 and 2006 for the James Brown Award for his outstanding work in the community with his foundation.
THE DINKINS FILE HOMETOWN: Pittsburgh, Pa. ALMA MATER: Pittsburgh, 2000 BIRTHDATE: 1/20/77 CHILDREN: Kayla, Khalil, Kolin COACHING CAREER 2012 – Rutgers (Tight Ends) 2011 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Assistant Tight Ends) PLAYING CAREER 2009 – New Orleans Saints 2006-09 – Cleveland Browns 2004-05 – Baltimore Ravens 2002-04 – New York Giants Won a Super Bowl ring with the Saints in 2009. 30 receptions for 240 yards and four touchdowns over his eight-year NFL career.
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