[1] He coached running backs at the University of Florida under Charlie Pell and Galen Hall from 1984 to 1988.

During his tenure at Florida, he coached star running backs Lorenzo Hampton, Neal Anderson, John L. Williams and Emmitt Smith.

From 1990 to 1993, Kirksey coached running backs for Alabama, where he helped lead the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 1992.

Kirksey spent 2003 as the wide receivers coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Jimmy Smith led the team with 54 receptions despite missing four games.

Kirksey earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky in 1974, where he was a four-year letterman and three-year starter at wide receiver.