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 MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
