RICHMOND, Ky. – Keith Kidd, a long-time pro personnel director in the NFL and son of legendary Eastern Kentucky University football coach Roy Kidd, has joined the current EKU football staff as the Director of Football Relations.
Kidd worked 18 years in the NFL with four teams – the Arizona Cardinals (1991-99), Cleveland Browns (1999-2002), New England Patriots (2002-05) and Denver Broncos (2009-13). He also spent three seasons as an NFL analyst for ESPN's scouting organization, Scouts Inc., and wrote columns for ESPN.com. In his most recent stop, Kidd was the director of pro personnel for the Broncos. He began his professional career as a graduate assistant at EKU in 1987 and moved on to Arizona State University (1989-91) as a graduate assistant coach under former EKU quarterback Larry Marmie.
Kidd recently sat down with EKUSports.com to discuss his return to Richmond and life in the NFL.
Q: What are your fondest memories of EKU football from your time growing up?
A: Just being around my dad, who is the greatest coach in the history of Division I-AA football, the program, the former players and the great winning tradition he established.
Q: How did you get your start in the NFL?
A: I started as a bottom-level guy and just worked extremely hard. I kept my mouth shut, and my eyes and ears open. I listened and learned the craft of the business. I was fortunate to work for some amazing people and four great owners in the NFL.
Q: You worked for four different NFL teams throughout your career. What was your role with each team?
A: It was different for each team. Being a part of the [NFL] expansion and putting a team together in Cleveland was a whole new opportunity to coordinate my own pro personnel department. I was an assistant director of pro personnel for the New England Patriots and was a part of one of the greatest teams ever to play in the National Football League. In Denver, I was a key contributor who had an instrumental role in putting a great team together. My role was the evaluation of talent, being able to assess a value on a player in terms of money and then how that player's role and ability fits into the team.
Q: Do one or two memories really stand out from your time in the NFL?
A: Being a part of winning teams, that is what you remember in your job. My fondest memories are the two world championships in New England. The people I worked with in Denver were awesome. The Cleveland Browns' situation [starting a new team] was unbelievable, too. The Arizona Cardinals' position was a great learning experience.
Q: Why come back now?
A: Richmond is my home. We have a 17-year old son who wants to graduate and play football in front of his grandparents. My wife and I truly care about this place. It was my start in the football profession. I grew up loving EKU football. My number one goal right now is to get this football program back in the national spotlight. That's what I want to do and any way I can help the coaching staff, I will do it.
Q: What is your role now with the EKU football team?
A: My role is constantly evolving, but right now I serve as a conduit for all recruiting information that comes to the department.
