Boca Raton, FL.- Breaking News: Florida Atlantic University intends to hire former Texas Tech Offensive Coordinator, Zach Kittley as the newest Head Coach of Owls’ Football.
This announcement comes two weeks after the firing of former HC Tom Herman, who was 6-16 in his two year stint with the program. By securing Kittney, the Owls are taking one of the top coordinators projected for vacant HC positions off the board.
Throughout his ten-year collegiate coaching career, Kittley has played large roles in some of the nation’s top offenses. Early in his career as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech, Coach Kittley worked closely with the development of Red Raiders’ star QB Patrick Mahomes, who would go onto be the top passer in the NFL, and secure two league MVP’s and three Super Bowl Championships. In 2018, Kittley accepted the Offensive Coordinator job at Houston Baptist University, where he turned a severely underperforming offense into one of the top “air raids” in FCS football. During his two season stint at HBU, Kittley helped develop Bailey Zappe into one of the premier QB’s in the FCS.
After a more than impressive run as Houston Baptist’s OC, Coach Kittley, returned to the FBS level, taking his talents to serve as the OC at Western Kentucky. In one season with the Hilltoppers, Kittley and Zappe reunited, totaling just under 6,000 yards of passing offense and 62 touchdowns (Both #1 FBS). Finally, after that elite 2021 season, Kittley returned to Texas Tech, where he’s served as the Red Raiders’ OC once again from 2022-24.
During this past regular season, Kittley and the Red Raiders were one of the most dominating and explosive groups in the country. Once again, the Air Raid ran supreme, as star QB Behren Morton recorded 3,335 yards and 27 scores (Both 9 FBS). This year, Kittley’s rushing attack may have been even better than the high flying Raider offense, as Tahj Brooks recorded 1,505 yards (5 FBS), and 17 touchdowns (9 FBS).
What can FAU expect from Zach Kittley
Coach Kittley provides a younger, modern offensive mind who hasn’t just adapted to the new age of college football, he’s the one setting the trends across the country.
The common theme for the Zach Kittley led offenses is a lot of yards and a lot of scoring. Consistently, Kittley fields offenses that are a defensive coordinators’ worst nightmare. In 2024, Tech averaged 459 yards per game, alongside 39.6 points per game. Flipping over to FAU, the Owls’ recorded a less than ideal 397.6 yards per game and 25.9 points per game this past season.
It’s been evident over the past few years, wherever Zach Kittley goes, his offense succeeds. As the Early National Signing Day period is just hours away from us, the addition of Kittley to the Owls’ staff may be a reassurance for a lot of FAU’s 2025 verbal commits. The Owls are currently the #69 ranked recruiting class in the country, with their top 4 highest graded recruits all being elite wide receivers: 3-Stars Teddy Hoffmann, Cameron Sapp, Jade Card and Mykel Calixte.
Welcome to Paradise Coach Kittley!
Cover Photo Credits: Texas Tech Athletics