Florida Atlantic University Hires New Coach: A Fresh Start with Zach Kittley
In the sunny city of Boca Raton, Florida, a wave of excitement is hitting the football scene as Florida Atlantic University has just hired Zach Kittley as their new head coach. The announcement came rushing in on a Monday, and it’s safe to say that Owls fans are buzzing with anticipation.
A Tough Goodbye to the Last Coach
Kittley’s hiring comes after the university decided to part ways with Tom Herman, who had a tough run during his two-year stint with the Owls. Under his leadership, the team managed to scrape together only a 6-16 record, with a disappointing 2-8 finish in the 2024 season. The decision to let Herman go was made with two games still left in the season, signaling that changes were definitely needed.
For the final stretch of the season, Chad Lunsford, the associate head coach and special teams coordinator, stepped in to guide the team. However, it was clear that the Owls needed a fresh vision and energy going forward.
Meet Zach Kittley: The Youngest Head Coach in FBS
At just 33 years old, Kittley is now the youngest head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Talk about making history! Before landing this high-profile job at FAU, Kittley was turning heads as the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, where his offense was ranked as the 10th-best in the nation this past season.
They averaged a whopping 459.8 yards per game, and their passing game? It wasn’t too shabby either, coming in at an impressive 298.1 yards on average per game. Kittley’s journey in coaching started at Texas Tech as a student assistant, and he soon climbed the ranks, working alongside Kliff Kingsbury during the time when Patrick Mahomes was dazzling fans on the field.
Success Following Him
Kittley’s success doesn’t stop there. He kicked off his offensive coordinator career at Houston Baptist before hitting it big at Western Kentucky. During his one season there in 2021, he led an offense that ranked second in the nation, and his star quarterback Bailey Zappe made headlines by setting an FBS record with 5,967 passing yards and 62 touchdown passes. Can you imagine the energy in that stadium?
FAU’s Athletic Director Speaks Out
FAU’s athletic director, Brian White, couldn’t hold back his enthusiasm about hiring Kittley. He expressed that after a thorough search for the right candidate—one that attracted considerable interest from across the nation—Kittley stood out as the best choice for the team. “Zach is one of the most innovative offensive minds in the game,” White said. That’s a bold statement, and it shows that FAU is really looking for positive changes moving forward.
What’s Next for FAU Football?
The Owls have been sinking in recent seasons, facing four consecutive losing records. The high standards set during Lane Kiffin’s three-year coaching adventure, which saw the team reach 11-3 records twice, are still fresh in everyone’s memory. Fans are eager to see how Kittley can bring back that level of play and hope to see the team rise back to contention.
As the community wraps its arms around this new era, one thing is clear: football season just got a lot more exciting down by the beach!
Welcome aboard, Coach Kittley! Let’s see what you’ve got!
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
