A four-year tight end for the Golden Eagles from 2004 through 2007, Orlandus Kirby has taken a career change and moved from banking to coaching. As a graduate assistant on Watson Brown’s staff, he will work with the tight ends and H-backs in 2012.
   
Following graduation in 2008, Kirby put his business management degree to work and served for five years in finance and banking. He was bank manager for three years with Wells Fargo Financial, and spent two years as a bank manager for Regions Bank.
   
He made the decision to return to his alma mater to pursue a master’s degree in exercise science, physical education and wellness, with a licensure to teach. Back on campus, he was welcomed back to the coaching staff to share his knowledge of the game with Tech’s group of H-backs, including Doug Page, Seth McDonald, Matt Brown and Cy Ables.
   
A four-year letterwinner during his high school days in both football and basketball at Jackson Central-Merry High School, Kirby helped capture district and regional championships as a junior and senior. He was named 7-5A All-Region and earned All-West Tennessee distinction.
   
He played in eight games as a true freshman in 2004, then took over as the starter in his sophomore season. The team’s full-time starter for two seasons, he missed much of his senior season with injuries before returning to the starting spot for the final month in 2007. He notched 20 career catches for 157 yards, and developed into an effective blocker.