Rece Davis Predicts Success For College Football’s New Youngest Head Coach

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Dec 3, 2024 11:21 AM ET

Some big news shook the college football landscape Monday night when the Florida Atlantic Owls officially named their next head coach, marking the program's fifth head coach in just over a ten-year span.

The university announced the hiring of former Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittley, who now becomes the youngest active head coach in the FBS at just 33 years old.

Following the announcement, Kittley received high praise from several notable figures, most prominently from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes, who worked with Kittley during his time at Texas Tech, credited the young coach for playing a significant role in his development.

Additionally, ESPN "College GameDay" host Rece Davis also shared glowing remarks about Kittley’s potential, confident he will succeed in Boca Raton.

"Congratulations to @ZKittley and @FAUFootball. Wise beyond years hire by the Owls. Confident Zach will crush it there!" Davis posted

Congratulations to @ZKittley and @FAUFootball. Wise beyond years hire by the Owls. Confident Zach will crush it there! https://t.co/s6Asdp3mlz
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) December 3, 2024

Florida Atlantic hasn’t had a winning season since 2019, when Lane Kiffin was the head coach. Now, Zach Kittley takes over from Tom Herman, who was expected to rejuvenate the Owls program after his somewhat successful stint at Texas, where he left with a winning record. However, Herman’s two seasons at Florida Atlantic were disappointing, as the Owls were among the worst teams in the AAC both years.

Kittley’s rise to this position has been nothing short of impressive. At just 33 years old, he’s had a remarkable journey. He is a major reason for all the success the offenses had when he was on the coaching staff at every university he coached at which includes Houston Christian, Western Kentucky, and Texas Tech.

Now, Kittley steps in as the head coach at Florida Atlantic, tasked with rebuilding a program that has struggled in recent years. The Owls need a fresh start, and Kittley’s experience in developing high-powered offenses and working with quarterbacks will be crucial in helping Florida Atlantic return to relevance in the AAC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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