Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittley is close to accepting the job as the next head coach at FAU, sources tell Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Kittley, 33, was hired by Joey McGuire when he landed the Red Raider job ahead of the 2022 season after Kittley set records as the play-caller at Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky. 

Kittley is known for his fondness for the passing game, but he added to his game while in Lubbock by learning to lean on star running back Tahj Brooks. The Red Raiders benefitted from Brooks and a healthy quarterback room to score 38.6 points per game – good for eighth in the FBS. Brooks finished fifth in the nation in rushing yards with 1,505. 

An important offseason awaits McGuire, who must now replace his offensive and defensive coordinator for the first time as a collegiate head coach. He fired defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter after the Red Raiders defense finished 121st in scoring defense.