Uncover the Potential of the Florida Atlantic Coaching Job

On-field Outlook

At Florida Atlantic, talent is not a concern. The Owls find themselves in the middle of the American Athletic Conference in terms of talent composite rankings. The school's location in a talent-rich area makes it an enticing destination for Power 4 transfers. Leading rusher CJ Campbell Jr. (from Florida State) and quarterback Kasen Weisman (Colorado) are prime examples. The roster holds promise, with true freshman leading tackler CJ Heard originally committed to Florida State. Campbell and top receiver Omari Hayes still have eligibility. However, there is a lot of work to be done this offseason. Half of last week's starters were seniors, and the Owls rank outside the top 100 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Redshirt junior quarterback Cam Fancher was performing well until he broke his collarbone against East Carolina. As a Marshall transfer, he put up average passing statistics in the conference while also rushing for at least 50 yards in five games. His backup, Weisman, has completed 53.4 percent of his passes as a redshirt freshman.

The on-field potential is there, but there are clear areas that need improvement. With the right coaching and development, the Owls could make significant strides in the coming seasons.

Money Situation

Last year, the Owls moved from Conference USA to the American, bringing increased on-field competition and off-field spending. According to figures submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, FAU's football budget in 2022 would have placed them in the bottom half of the American. However, the school's finances appear to be on the right track. During the 2023-24 academic year, FAU reported $23 million in athletics fundraising, a 51 percent increase from the previous cycle and a department record for the third consecutive year. Conference payouts are also rising, which will help the program keep up with the competition. The school has shown a willingness to invest in athletics, with the 30,000-seat FAU Stadium opening in 2011 and the Schmidt Family Complex opening three years ago.

The financial situation provides some stability and potential for growth, but there is still work to be done to ensure the program has the resources it needs to succeed.

University Stability

Athletic director Brian White has held the role since 2018 and was awarded a five-year extension in September. His ability to keep men's basketball coach Dusty May for another season after the Owls' Final Four run speaks volumes about the athletic department. May has since left for Michigan. While White is respected in the industry, the university's administration remains in a state of flux. Stacy Volnick has been interim president since September 2022 during an ongoing, stop-and-start search that has drawn scrutiny from Florida's attorney general. The chairperson of FAU's board of trustees resigned earlier this year after a no-confidence vote from the entity that oversees Florida's public universities. Any concerns about the stability of these important positions could have implications for the future of the program.

University stability is crucial for the long-term success of the football program. While there are some positive signs, the ongoing uncertainty needs to be addressed.

Recent History/Tradition

FAU is a relatively young program, with its history dating back to the turn of the century when Howard Schnellenberger helped build it from scratch. The Owls have played in five bowl games, winning four of them. However, the growing pains are evident in the year-by-year standings. Of FAU's six full-time coaches, five finished with losing records, including Tom Herman and predecessor Willie Taggart. But there is one notable exception: Lane Kiffin won a pair of Conference USA titles with 11-win seasons in 2017 and 2019. His success demonstrated that the right coach can achieve great things here.

The recent history shows both promise and challenges. While there have been some successful seasons, there is still work to be done to establish a consistent winning tradition.

Coach Pool

Penn State co-offensive coordinator Ja’Juan Seider has attracted head coaching interest in the past and is a logical fit for the FAU job. He is from nearby Belle Glade, has coached at three area high schools, and is a member of the Palm Beach County Hall of Fame. His deep South Florida background will be beneficial in recruiting. Georgia wide receivers coach James Coley is from Miami and has coached at all three levels in the area. With a dozen seasons as an offensive coordinator/co-coordinator, he has the experience and resume to take the next step. Georgia assistant head coach Todd Hartley was the position coach for superstar tight end Brock Bowers and spent three seasons as a Miami assistant under Mark Richt. Although he doesn't have the same South Florida roots as Coley, he would be an intriguing candidate. Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson is a key reason why the Hurricanes are College Football Playoff contenders. His offense is on track to set school records in scoring and total yards. The quarterbacks he coached at Houston lit up the American Athletic Conference. UCF offensive coordinator Tim Harris has spent his entire career in Florida. He won a state title at Miami's Booker T. Washington High School and has worked at FIU and UCF. Unlike many others on this list, he wouldn't have to worry about the College Football Playoff affecting his candidacy/start date. Florida State defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain made three Pro Bowls with the Dolphins and was a successful high school coach in South Florida. However, his limited college coaching experience at just two schools may be a concern. His alma mater, Southern Miss, also has a coaching vacancy. Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is a 31-year-old rising star who runs a top-five scoring unit. He won a conference title at FAU as an assistant under Kiffin but had a disappointing stint at USF. He is bright and has the potential to be a head coach eventually. Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino fits the mold of a former Power 4 head coach looking for a fresh start. His recruitment of Lamar Jackson from the area to Louisville could be an advantage. However, controversy often follows him. Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor is beloved in the region due to his Hall of Fame career with the Dolphins. Although his college coaching experience is limited to one season as a Hurricanes analyst and another as a position coach, his football knowledge and pedigree are unquestioned. Roger Harriott has led national high school powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas to five consecutive state championships in nearby Fort Lauderdale. He was a top recruiter during his time as an Owls assistant and would be a less conventional hire.

The coach pool for the FAU job is diverse and includes coaches with different backgrounds and experiences. Each candidate brings something unique to the table and could potentially lead the program to success.

In conclusion, the Florida Atlantic job offers both opportunities and challenges. With the right combination of coaching, talent, and stability, the Owls have the potential to become a winning program. The various aspects of the job, as analyzed in this article, will play a crucial role in determining the future of the program.