The New Era: Unveiling Zach Kittley's Complete Florida Atlantic University Football Staff For 2025
The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) football program has undergone a dramatic and highly-anticipated transformation, marking the start of a completely new era for the Owls. As of December 21, 2025, the program is fully under the direction of Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley, who was hired in December 2024 to revitalize the team following the departure of Tom Herman. This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute breakdown of the new coaching staff, their backgrounds, and the strategic vision they are bringing to Boca Raton for the 2025 season and beyond.
The new staff is a blend of youthful, offensive innovation and veteran, tough-minded defensive experience, primarily featuring coaches with strong ties to the Air Raid offensive system and a history of developing NFL-caliber talent. The mandate is clear: inject energy, establish a winning culture in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), and leverage the transfer portal to quickly build a competitive roster.
Complete Biography and Profile of the 2025 FAU Football Staff
The 2025 Florida Atlantic Owls coaching staff is defined by its youth and its commitment to the high-tempo, pass-heavy offensive philosophy of its new leader. Coach Kittley, at just 33, is one of the youngest head coaches in the FBS, and his key hires reflect a desire for energetic, detail-oriented mentors.
- Zach Kittley — Hagerty Family Head Football Coach
- Age: 33
- Previous Role: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at Texas Tech (2022-2024)
- Career Highlights: Known as one of the brightest young offensive minds in college football; architect of the "Air Raid" offense that led Western Kentucky to national prominence; coached record-breaking quarterbacks like Bailey Zappe and Alan Bowman. His hire follows a 6-16 tenure under previous coach Tom Herman.
- Brett Dewhurst — Defensive Coordinator
- Previous Role: Defensive Backs Coach at Mississippi State
- Career Highlights: A former Texas Tech player, Dewhurst brings a strong defensive background from the SEC and Big 12. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant and has a reputation for developing defensive backs. His experience at programs like Mississippi State and Southeastern Louisiana is key to building an AAC-contending defense.
- Tyler Schovanec — Special Teams Coordinator
- Previous Role: Assistant Special Teams Coordinator/Specialist Coach at Texas Tech
- Career Highlights: Follows Kittley from Texas Tech, where he served three seasons. Schovanec is an experienced special teams coach who previously worked at Houston Christian. His role is critical as Kittley has publicly emphasized the importance of special teams excellence in the new program.
- DJ McCarthy — Wide Receivers Coach
- Previous Role: Offensive Assistant with deep NFL/SEC ties
- Career Highlights: McCarthy is a veteran assistant with a history of developing top-tier receiving talent. His hire is a significant move, bringing Power Five and professional expertise to the Owls' receiving corps, vital for Kittley's Air Raid scheme.
- Brandon Lacy — Ends/Rush (EDGE Coach)
- Previous Role: Defensive Line Coach at Western Michigan
- Career Highlights: Lacy is known for his ability to develop pass rushers, having coached five NFL draft picks and 10 All-Conference selections in his career. His focus on defensive ends and the "rush" will be central to creating pressure in the new defensive scheme.
- Chris Perkins — Running Backs Coach
- Role: Running Backs Coach
- Note: Perkins is a key on-field position coach, focusing on the run game which is often deceptively important in the Air Raid system.
- Antonio Fenelus — Defensive Backs Coach
- Role: Defensive Backs Coach
- Note: Fenelus is the "Antonio" mentioned in early staff announcements. His focus on the secondary is crucial, especially in the pass-heavy AAC.
- Aaron Schwanz — Inside Linebackers Coach
- Role: Inside Linebackers Coach
- Note: Schwanz will be responsible for the heart of the defense, managing the run fit and coverage responsibilities of the inside linebackers.
The Strategic Shift: From Tom Herman’s Tenure to the Air Raid Offense
The arrival of Zach Kittley signals a complete philosophical and cultural overhaul from the previous regime. The short and tumultuous tenure of Tom Herman, which ended with a 6-16 overall record, was characterized by multiple staff changes and an inability to find consistent offensive rhythm.
Kittley's hiring is a high-stakes bet on one of the most exciting offensive systems in modern football: the Air Raid. This scheme is designed to maximize quarterback production, spread the field, and score points quickly—a necessary change for an FAU program that has struggled to find its identity. His previous success as Offensive Coordinator at Western Kentucky, where his quarterback led the nation in passing, and at Texas Tech, provides a clear blueprint for the Owls.
The new staff is built to execute this vision. The absence of a dedicated offensive coordinator outside of Kittley himself suggests he will be the primary play-caller, maintaining full control over the Air Raid installation. Key offensive entities like DJ McCarthy (Wide Receivers) and Chris Perkins (Running Backs) are tasked with developing the skill position players necessary to thrive in this high-volume passing attack. The new roster, which includes over 55 newcomers, is rapidly being molded to fit Kittley’s system, aiming for better results immediately in the 2025 season.
Key Defensive and Support Staff Entities Driving the New Culture
While the offense generates the headlines, the defensive and support staff are equally crucial to Kittley’s long-term plan. The new staff is focused on leveraging the talent-rich South Florida area to build a competitive roster capable of handling the rigors of the American Athletic Conference.
The Defensive Mandate: Speed and Pressure
Defensive Coordinator Brett Dewhurst is tasked with creating a unit that complements the high-octane offense. The hire of Brandon Lacy as the Ends/Rush coach highlights a priority on generating immediate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Lacy's experience in developing NFL-level pass rushers will be vital for a team looking to improve its sack totals. Similarly, Antonio Fenelus’s focus on Defensive Backs is a direct response to the need for a strong secondary to defend against the passing offenses prevalent in the AAC.
The defensive entities are being assembled to prioritize speed and aggressive play. This philosophy is also seen in the Special Teams unit, led by Tyler Schovanec, who brings an attention to detail that Kittley believes is essential for winning close games.
The Critical Role of Support Staff
A modern college football program requires a robust support structure, and Kittley has prioritized this area with two significant hires:
- Harrison Hanna (Chief of Staff): Hanna will manage the day-to-day operations, logistics, and internal communications, ensuring the coaching staff can focus entirely on football.
- Brandon Lee (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach): Lee’s role is arguably the most important for culture-building. He is responsible for the physical and mental toughness of the team, a critical factor in preparing the Owls for the demanding AAC schedule.
The comprehensive overhaul of the Florida Atlantic football staff for the 2025 season represents a definitive break from the past. With Zach Kittley at the helm, the program is banking on a young, innovative coaching staff to install the Air Raid offense and build a defense focused on speed and pressure. The blend of youth, proven offensive success at the Division I level, and strong recruiting ties is designed to immediately elevate the Owls into contention within the American Athletic Conference, ushering in a fresh and exciting chapter for FAU Football.
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