Zach Kittley has been to Boca Raton before.
And he made history here.
In December 2021, as offensive coordinator for Western Kentucky, he coached quarterback Bailey Zappe to break Joe Burrow’s single-season NCAA passing records in the Boca Raton Bowl.
“That day will forever be special,” Kittley told me on The Paige Kornblue Show. “When Bailey broke the record, I just remember screaming, ‘Get the ball! Get the ball!’ so he’d have it forever. It was one of those moments you’ll never forget.”
Now, just a few years later, Kittley is back in Boca, not as a visitor but as the Hagerty Family Head Football Coach of Florida Atlantic University. At 34, he is the youngest head coach in Division I FBS football, bringing with him both record-breaking offensive firepower and a deep belief in building a program rooted in family.
Kittley’s coaching journey includes stops with some of the game’s brightest stars. At Texas Tech, he coached Patrick Mahomes, now one of the NFL’s all-time greats.
“Pat was the greatest leader I’ve ever been around. Even at 18 years old, he had that aura. You just believed you could win any game with him behind you,” says Kittley.
At Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky, Kittley mentored Bailey Zappe, turning him into the most prolific passer in college football history—records punctuated right here in Boca Raton.
And now, that journey brings him full circle, back to FAU.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity. To be able to be a leader of young men and impact so many lives, that’s the calling for me in coaching. To do it in a community like Boca Raton makes it even more special,” says Kittley.
Known for his fast-paced, aggressive offense, Kittley believes tempo and boldness are keys to success. But he also emphasizes adaptability. “The sign of a great coach is finding what your players are good at and doing that,” he says.
And while his playbook may grab the headlines, Kittley is just as committed to building a culture rooted in family, hard work, and toughness. His program is built on four pillars: Be a family. Have fun. Work hard. Be tough.
“I truly love each and every one of my players. If you love the guy to your right and your left, you’ll play harder for him when the game’s on the line. That family atmosphere is what we bring every day,” said Kittley.
Kittley’s own family—wife Emily and their three young boys—are settling into life in Boca Raton. The move to Boca was intentional, he says, a decision not just about football but about community.
“We weren’t just gonna jump at whatever opportunity. It had to be the right one. FAU was always one of those jobs we knew would be a good one if it ever arose. When this one came open, it was a no-brainer,” says Kittley.
As the 2025 season kicks off, Kittley knows the college football landscape is changing fast, with NIL, the transfer portal, and shifting rules reshaping the game. His mindset? Adapt and embrace.
“Whatever the rule is, let’s roll. You’ve got to run with it or you’ll get left behind,” he said.
For now, though, Kittley is focused on building bonds, shaping his team, and bringing winning football back to FAU.
“I tell my guys all the time, you get to play college football, have fun with it,” he says with a smile. “We’re gonna work hard, love each other, and be tough. That’s how we’ll build something special here.”
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