With a revamped roster, new FAU coach aiming for better results for Owls in 2025
You can’t blame Owls fans who miss Lane Kiffin.
FAU went 11-3 in 2019 under Kiffin, who then bolted for Ole Miss.
Since he has been gone (cue the Kelly Clarkson song with a similar refrain), the Owls have fired two coaches — Willie Taggart and Tom Herman — and they haven’t won more than five games in a season.
Enter Zach Kittley, a 33-year-old Texan who arrives with a reputation as an offensive genius.
Still, he’s a first-time head coach, and he hired a first-time defensive coordinator, Brett Dewhurst. Plus, the Owls return just four starters — counting the punter — and brought in 55 newcomers.
On the positive side is the experience Kittley gained the past three years as Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator. The Red Raiders went to three straight bowl games during that span. In fact, they led the Big 12 and finished eighth in the nation last year in scoring (38.6).
At FAU, Kittley will continue to call the offensive plays.
However, the Owls lost several 2024 offensive starters due to transfers, including quarterback Cam Fancher (UCF), leading receiver Omari Hayes (Tulane), leading rusher C.J. Campbell (Rutgers), tight end Wyatt Sullivan (USF) and guard Jordan Church (Louisville).
However, the Owls have added key transfers such as quarterback Caden Veltkamp and wide receiver Easton Messer, both from Western Kentucky.
Western Kentucky — which finished 8-6 last season — played in the 2024 Boca Raton Bowl.
Veltkamp completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,108 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He finished second in Conference USA in passing yards per game (239), and he was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.
“Caden and I are really close,” Kittley said last month during AAC Media Day in Charlotte, North Carolina. “He’s like a son to me. I think he is getting slept on, and he has a chip on his shoulder.
“I’m expecting a huge year from him. I’m giving him the keys to the Ferrari [FAU’s offense].”
Messer was second on the Hilltoppers in receptions (55); yards (793); and touchdowns (four).
In FAU’s spring game, Veltkamp completed TD passes of 59 and 22 yards to Messer, and that combination – coached by offensive guru Kittley – is the most optimistic part of FAU 2025.
Another key transfer is 6-foot-4 wide receiver J.R. Wilson, who made 27 catches last year at Virginia.
In addition, the Owls return two starters on the offensive line: right guard Alex Atcavage and right tackle Daughtry Richardson.
On defense, FAU returns just one full-time starter — nickel corner Wendel Philord.
The top incoming transfer could be defensive back Derrick Rogers from Purdue.
But free safety CJ Heard, who made third-team All-AAC as a freshman last year, transferred to Vanderbilt, where he is set to start.
Strong safety Phillip Dunnam, who led FAU in interceptions with three last year, is now a starter at UCF.
In other words, rebuilding this defense will be a major chore for Dewhurst, a former Texas Tech defensive back.
Special teams, though, appear to be in good shape. FAU’s Logan Lupo finished 16th nationally last year in punting average (44.5) and is considered the best punter in the AAC.
The kicker is Garrison Smith, who made 13 of 16 on field-goals attempts and was 24 for 24 on extra points at Akron last year.
As for recruiting, Kittley said FAU’s base will continue to be South Florida, but he also mentioned Georgia for overall talent and the Midwest to pick off some linemen.