Zach Kittley takes over as Florida Atlantic head coach with $6 million deal

In Boca Raton, Florida, Zach Kittley has been officially appointed as the head coach of Florida Atlantic University (FAU), following a successful tenure as the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech. The announcement of his hiring came on Monday night, and it included the details of Kittley's five-year contract, which totals $6 million, with an annual increase in base salary starting at $1 million in his first year. Kittley's appointment comes after a series of disappointing seasons for FAU, which finished with a 3-9 record, marking their fourth consecutive losing season. Kittley aims to turn things around, expressing confidence in the program's potential and his readiness to engage with the community and players. Kittley, at just 33 years old, has an impressive background in coaching. Before his role at FAU, he built a strong reputation as an offensive innovator at Texas Tech, where he helped the team achieve remarkable offensive statistics, including an average of 435 yards per game. His offensive strategies positioned Texas Tech among the top 25 FBS teams in several key performance metrics, underlining his capability to develop high-scoring units. Kittley’s coaching journey also includes significant stints at Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky, as well as his role in mentoring NFL star Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech. FAU's athletic director, Brian White, praised Kittley for his integrity and effective player development skills. The university's president, Stacy Volnick, echoed sentiments of enthusiasm for Kittley's vision and energy, suggesting that he represents a significant hope for the future of FAU football. Kittley will be tasked with building a competitive program and restoring pride among FAU fans and alumni, following the previous coaching era under Tom Herman, who was dismissed in recent weeks after two underwhelming seasons. The Owls have seen a significant decline in performance since Lane Kiffin's departure after the 2019 season when the team enjoyed moderate success. With Kittley now stepping in, there is optimism surrounding the foundational changes he aims to implement as he builds a staff and establishes relationships with players. His immediate objective will be to revitalize the football program, ensuring that it can compete at a higher level within its conference and potentially return to bowl eligibility in the near future.