Austin Peay Names UCLA Assistant Jeff Faris As Next Head Football Coach

Austin Peay has officially announced that UCLA assistant coach Jeff Faris will be named the 22^nd head coach in school history. Faris served as the tight ends coach at UCLA last season.

"Natalie, Jack, Eli, and I are thrilled to be joining the Austin Peay family," said Faris in a statement released by the university. "To come home and be a part of the incredible history and tradition of our great University is a dream come true. We love the Clarksville community and look forward to meeting everyone. I cannot wait to get to work with this special group. It is a great day to be a Gov! Let's Go Peay!"

This past season under Faris, UCLA tight end Carson Ryan was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention. Pro Football Focus ranked the UCLA tight end unit as the No. 1 group in the conference.

Before his one season at UCLA, Faris served as an assistant coach at Duke from 2012-21. He was named the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018. Faris was promoted to co-offensive coordinator for the 2021 season and the Blue Devils averaged over 400 yards per game under Faris. 

Former head coach Scotty Walden accepted the head coaching position at UTEP after four seasons at Austin Peay. He led the Governors to back-to-back conference championships. 

Austin Peay will hold an introductory press conference on Dec. 11 at noon CT in F&M Bank Arena.