A popular name in Big 12 coaching circles, Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittley appears to be on the move.
First reported by FootballScoop, Kittley is in line to become the next head coach at Florida Atlantic, leaving the Red Raiders without each of their main coordinators.
Kittley has spent the past three seasons on staff at Texas Tech and has solidified himself as one of the nation’s top playcallers. His Red Raider offense led the league in total yards per game and points per game, which was good for 10th and eighth in the country, respectively.
He takes over at FAU after the decision to fire Tom Herman who won just six games in two years with the program. Herman finished his FAU career 6-16 overall and 3-11 in conference play.
While the move does leave Joey McGuire with two major holes to fill at offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator(fired Tim DeRuyter on December 1st), Kittley had started to take some flack from Texas Tech fans over his struggles in the running game. Despite developing one of the nation’s best backs, Tahj Brooks, the team finished ninth in the Big 12 in total rushing yards per game with 161.8.
His departure allows for a clean slate at Texas Tech, a team looking to climb into the national spotlight in the wide-open Big 12. With Kittley and DeRuyter out the door, Joey McGuire now has to face his most challenging task yet as head coach at Texas Tech.
