Texas Tech OC Zach Kittley emerges as top candidate at FAU

Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittley has emerged as the top candidate for the Florida Atlantic head coaching job, sources tell On3. The former Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky offensive coordinator has led a Red Raiders offense that averaged 459.8 yards per game in 2024.

FAU fired Tom Herman last month after just one-plus seasons, where the Owls went 6-16. FAU will be Kittley’s first head coaching job. Kittley was tied to the Oklahoma offensive coordinator search and Rice head coaching job earlier this cycle.

Kittley’s offenses have been prolific over the years. He previously served in various roles under Kliff Kingsbury at Texas Tech from 2013 to 2017. Athletic director Brian White will try to revamp the FAU program with Kittley’s offense.

His offense sat at the top of the Big 12 this season, scoring 38.6 points per game. And in 2022, the Texas Tech offense was No. 2 in the league averaging 461.4 yards per game. Kittley interviewed with FAU on Sunday and is still in Boca Raton as of Monday afternoon.

Western Kentucky’s Tyson Helton brought Zach Kittley and his Houston Baptist quarterback, Bailey Zappe, to Conference USA in 2021. Zappe broke the major-college record for passing yards in a season with 5,967 last year, topping the record of 5,833 set in 2003 by Texas Tech’s B.J. Symonds.

After Lane Kiffin departed for Ole Miss in 2019, FAU cycled through Willie Taggart and Herman. The Owls have failed to put together a winning season since Kiffin left. The lone bowl appearance was in 2020, a loss in the Montgomery Bowl.

FAU finished this season 3-9 and opens the 2025 season at Maryland on Aug. 30. Early National Signing Day is slated for Wednesday, with the transfer portal set to open on Monday, Dec. 9.