Auburn football finished their regular season at 6-6, ranking second-to-last in the SEC West, so there was no surprise when head coach Bryan Harsin sent Mike Bobo packing. Something has to change, right? But now Harsin is tasked with finding an offensive coordinator that can bring the Auburn offense out of a downward spiral.
Names like Dell McGee and Zak Hill have been thrown into the mix, with McGee having clear ties to Auburn and Hill having clear ties to Bryan Harsin, but the Tigers are also considering a more surprising option. According to Auburn Undercover, this former FCS assistant coach might be Auburn football’s next offensive coordinator.
Zach Kittley began his coaching career at Texas Tech where he worked closely with Patrick Mahomes before taking over as Houston Baptist’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2018. Kittley’s explosive air raid offense ranked in the nation’s top five each season:
"In an abridged 2020 season, the success of HBU’s Air Raid passing offense made headlines throughout the country. In only four games, senior quarterback Bailey Zappe completed 141-of-215 passes (65.6%) for 1,833 yards, with 15 touchdowns and one interception.At 458.3 yards per game, Zappe’s average ranked 101.3 yards above the leading FBS passer (Dillon Gabriel of UCF – 357 yards per game) in 2020."
This season marks Kittley’s first at Western Kentucky, and he’s already nominated for the Broyles award due to his offense being ranked #1 in the nation in passing, and #2 in both scoring and offense, per Auburn Undercover. In just one season, Kittley moved the Hilltoppers’ scoring from #115 in the nation to #2.
Zach Kittley's offense this year:
— Tech Hoops Guy (@TechHoopsGuy) December 3, 2021
-TDs on 42.5% of possessions (7th in the country)
-3.38 Points/Drive (6th nationally)
-Gained 63% of Possible Yards (2nd nationally)
-First Down on 80% of possessions (11th nationally)
-77.6% 3rd Down Avoidance (4th)
Pretty good offense.
The young coach clearly has the ability to go into a program and completely revamp it, which is exactly what Auburn football’s offense needs.