Florida Atlantic University Football

Zach Kittley was named Florida Atlantic's newest Hagerty Family Head Football Coach on December 2, 2024, putting at the helm one of the brightest and most in...

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls in December 2024 as a member of Zach Kittley’s inaugural staff as the team's inside linebacker coach In 2025, coached duo of Tyler Stolsky and Leon Hart where both finished with 90+ tackles to be the first pair of Owls to do so in a season since 2019 Hart earned third team American Conference honors at seasons end Stolsky became the first Owl since Azeez Al-Shaair in 2017 to record 12+ tackles in four straight games At Louisiana Special teams assistant for the 2024 season Coached Kenneth Almendares in his All-American season, winning the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best kicker Member of coaching staff for Ragin' Cajuns team that had 10 victories and were the winners of the Sun Belt West Division, qualifying for the conference championship At Auburn Worked as analyst for Tigers in 2023, specializing with linebackers Qualified for Music City Bowl At Georgia Southern Served as the Eagles linebacker coach for the 2022 season Helped turn linebackers Marques Watson-Trent and Khadry Jackson into tackling machines as both finished nationally ranked in tackles per game Watson-Trent earned all-conference honors after leading the team with 114 tackles, including 5.5 for loss At Washington Was a defensive analyst for the Huskies for a stingy defense, one that ranked nationally in numerous categories While working with the outside linebackers, helped Washington rank first nationally for the fewest passing yards allowed (1,720), gave up a nation-low

Anthony Fortier joined Florida Atlantic as Head Football Equipment Manager in January 2024. Previously, he served as Associate Director of Equipment Operations at the University of Miami (August 2023), focusing on football and assisting with administrative and maintenance tasks. At UTSA, he was Assistant Athletics Director for Equipment Operations and Head Football Equipment Manager, overseeing budgeting, management, and issuance of athletic equipment for 14 Division I teams. Prior to that, he was Director of Equipment Operations at the University of Tulsa, promoted from Assistant Director, where he oversaw equipment operations for 15 Division I teams. The Palm City, Florida native is a Florida Atlantic graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a Minor in History (2016), and holds a master's degree in history from the University of Tulsa (2019). He is a Certified Athletic Equipment Manager and received a certificate in the Fundamentals of Global Sports Management from New York University (2020).

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls staff in January of 2025, where he will focus his attention on the cornerbacks In first year, coached CB group that included Terez Reid with a team-high eight pass breakups and Damarius McGhee, who deflected four passes and recorded a 96-yard fumble return for a touchdown, second longest in program history ANTONIO FENELUS MIC'D UP GET TO KNOW COACH FENELUS At Illinois Named Illinois' defensive backs coach on Dec. 30, 2022, and served in that position through the 2023 season The addition to the Illinois staff reunited Fenelus with Bielema, his college head coach, and defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, his college teammate At LSU Spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as a defensive analyst at LSU At East Central He then served as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at East Central University (Division II) from 2018-20 At Wisconsin Began his coaching career at Wisconsin where he was a graduate assistant working with the Badgers' defensive backs from 2015-17 under defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard. As a Player Four-year Wisconsin letterwinner Helped the Badgers to Big Ten titles in 2010 and 2011, including a win in the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game in 2011 Two-time All-Big Ten first-team selection, earning the honor after 56 tackles, four interceptions, and seven pass breakups as a junior, then again as a senior when he had 51 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups Recorded 155 tackles, 22 passes def

Bill Sanders joined Florida Atlantic University as the head athletic trainer for the football program in spring 2022. Sanders arrives to Paradise after spending the past eight years at UCF. Most recently, Sanders served as an assistant athletic trainer for football and women's golf for five seasons. He was responsible for injury prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation for student-athletes, among other duties. Prior to the past five years, Sanders was the athletic trainer for the women's basketball team during the 2016-17 season. Before being hired in a full-time capacity at UCF, Sanders was a graduate assistant athletic trainer for two seasons with the Knights. The graduate assistantship came after working as an undergraduate athletic training intern for the Northwestern football program. Sanders obtained a Bachelor of Science in athletic training from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in Dec. 2013. He received his Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Science with an emphasis in Sport Nutrition from UCF in May 2016. Sanders is a NATA, SEATA and ATAF member, as well as a Board Certified Athletic Trainer.

Bradley Marsic, MS, LAT, ATC, joined Florida Atlantic University as an athletic training fellow in July of 2020. He was then elevated to an assistant athletic trainer for football in 2021 and was again elevated in 2025 to his current role of Associate Athletic Trainer (Football) and Director of Rehabilitation. Marsic earned his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Ohio University in 2018 and went on to obtain his Master of Science in Health and Human Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2020. As an experienced and dedicated Certified Athletic Trainer with a passion for optimizing athlete health, rehabilitation, and performance through evidence-based practices, Marsic specializes in injury assessment, rehabilitation, post-operative care, and return-to-play protocols. Marsic is skilled in advanced manual therapy techniques, dry needling, Graston Technique, and Blood Flow Restriction training. Prior to his time at FAU, Marsic was a graduate assistant athletic trainer for Oklahoma State University Football from 2018 to 2020, where he provided comprehensive medical care, assisted with concussion management, performed administrative duties, and implemented rehabilitation practices. Before that, he gained valuable experience as an athletic training student intern with Northwestern University Football in 2017, assisting with injury diagnosis, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. He is committed to athlete well-being, innovative treatment approaches, and collaborat

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls in January of 2025 where he will focus his attention on the defensive ends and the rush Coached edge rushers led by junior Deshaun Batiste with 3.5 sacks and redshirt sophomore Wilky Denaud with three Oversaw development of true freshman Josh Roberts who finished the year with four tackles for loss and two sacks At Western Michigan Joined the Western Michigan staff in March of 2024 and was part of a staff that guided the team to the Veterans Bowl Was part of a staff that recorded 54.5 tackles for a loss of 200 yards, which included 20 sacks Southern Miss Was a member of the Eagles staff for three seasons, where he worked with the defensive line During the 2022 season, Lacy's unit terrorized opposing offenses all season, racking up 222 total tackles, 42 tackles for loss, and 25.5 sacks on the year Four defensive linemen finished with 30 or more total tackles, led by Jalen Williams' 50, fifth-most on the team Under Lacy's tutelage, Dominic Quewon. 11 of Quewon's 21 tackles were tackles for loss for a total loss of 58 yards. His sack numbers were 13th most in the nation by an individual and second in the Sun Belt Conference In his first year with the Golden Eagles, he mentored Josh Carr, Jr., who was a Conference USA honorable mention selection The defensive line helped Southern Miss produce the No. 42 total defense in the country, allowing just 358.5 yards per game, while also ranking No. 2 in Conference USA At Richmond Coached one season at

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls in December of 2024 as part of Hea Coach Zach Kittley’s inaugural staff MEET COACH LEE At Texas Tech Served four seasons ...

At Florida Atlantic Began working with the program in the spring of 2025 as part of Hagerty Family Head Coach Zach Kittley’s inaugural staff At Houston Chris...

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls in December of 2024 as FAU's Defensive Coordinator In addition to overseeing entire defense, also honed in on safeties where top three combined for 148 tackles Coached American Conference third-team LB Leon Hart Jr. and DL CJ Doggette Jr. Defense recorded at least five tackles-for-loss in eight games during the 2025 season, including the first six games to open the year. Meet Coach Dewhurst At Coastal Carolina Served the 2024 season as an analyst for a defense that placed five defenders on the Sun Belt All-Conference squad, three were named to the first team, and two earned honorable mention honors At Mississippi State Elevated in 2023 to the Bulldogs safeties coach In 2022, served as a defensive analyst, primarily focusing on the safeties position group At Texas State Worked with the Bobcat defensive backs from 2019-21 Dewhurst’s 2020 unit accounted for 11 turnovers with seven interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. Cornerback Jarron Morris was a Second-Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection after he led Texas State with 69 tackles, led the league with four interceptions, recovered a fumble, and had 11 breakups. In addition, Morris tied school and Sun Belt Conference records when he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown at ULM In his first season at Texas State (2019), helped the Bobcats rank among the nation’s top 25 passing defenses. Morris and Khambrail Winters earned Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt

At Florida Atlantic Joined the staff in January of 2025 One year later, elevated to Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach At Texas Tech Served as an...

At Florida Atlantic Joined Florida Atlantic in the spring of 2025 as part of Hagerty Family Head Coach Zach Kittley’s inaugural staff At Texas Tech Served as...

At Florida Atlantic Chris Perkins joined Florida Atlantic's football staff as a player development assistant in May of 2017 He primarily worked with the Owls...

Ciara Celestino joined the Florida Atlantic Owls in January 2024 as an Athletic Training Fellow working with football and was elevated to Assistant Athletic Trainer in spring 2026. She previously served as an assistant athletic trainer at East Tennessee State during fall 2023, managing care for student athletes with complex medical needs including type I diabetes, sickle cell trait, and hemoglobin S-Beta+Thalassemia, while providing mentorship and working with speech pathology providers on concussion testing. She began her career at East Tennessee State as a certified intern from August 2022 through May 2023. In summer 2023, Celestino gained additional experience as head athletic trainer for the Kingsport Axmen of the Appalachian League, where she developed and implemented emergency action plans. She has continuously worked with Global Event Medicine Athletic Training since 2021, performing on-court acute care and injury evaluation at USA Volleyball tournaments. Celestino holds certifications with the BOC, Stop the Bleed, AED/CPR, first aid, and Neuromuscular Dry Needling, along with a Tennessee Athletic Trainers license and proficiency in King Devick Test administration.

A four-year starter and offensive lineman at UCF from 2007-11, McCray helped UCF win its first conference championship in school history in 2007. He attended Miami Southridge Senior High School, where he was coached by his father, Cliff McCray, Sr., and was named Dade-County Lineman of the Year as a junior before his senior year was cut short due to medical issues. McCray holds a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master's degree in Communication, and is currently pursuing a second master's from Reformed Theological Seminary. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Radiant City Church in Boca Raton, Florida, and as Team Chaplain for Florida Atlantic University Athletics.

At Florida Atlantic Joined the 2023 Tom Herman staff as a defensive analyst Worked with a defense that held a No. 36 overall national PFF grade (an improveme...

As one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, Carter scored 130 touchdowns and racked up 1,101 receptions for 12,899 yards (12.6 avg) in 16 seasons, finishing his career as the NFL's second all-time leading receiver with the second-most touchdowns in league history. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s. He transitioned into broadcasting following his playing career, joining HBO's "Inside the NFL" as a studio analyst in 2002. He moved to ESPN in 2008, appearing on a variety of programs as a studio analyst, including "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown", becoming a fixture on the sports television landscape. From 2017-19 Carter co-hosted FS1's morning show, "First Things First." Carter, an Ohio native, attended The Ohio State University where he studied communications and was a first-team All-American and two-time All-Big Ten performer. He has been recognized for his work with inner-city youth, receiving the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 1999. He also serves as a mentor in former President Barack Obama's "My Brother's Keeper" Program.

At Florida Atlantic Joined the staff in January of 2025 as the Owls’ Director of Football Operations Moved from working with operations as an equipment staff...

MIC'D UP At Florida Atlantic Joined the staff in December of 2024 as the squads' Defensive Tackles Coach Coached All-Conference third team member CJ Doggette, who led the team with four sacks, as well as fellow team captain Bryce Langston who had a collegiate career high of 1.5 sacks In January of 2026 Santana also assumed the responsibility of Run Game Coordinator as well as serving as the Defensive Tackles Coach At Miami Served as an assistant defensive line coach for their stellar 2024 season At UT Martin Joined the Skyhawks in the spring of 2022 as a defensive line coach At Auburn Served as an assistant defensive line coach at Auburn Helped to mentor NFL Draft selection Colby Wooden and Marcus Harris Also assisted with meeting preparations and film breakdown – including short yardage/goal line planning Other duties included serving as a special teams assistant while running the scout team offense At App State Served one year at Appalachian State where he was a defensive line quality control analyst Mentored four all-conference selections in Demetrius Taylor (first team selection and NFL Draft selection by Detroit Lions), Nick Hampton (third team), Jordon Earle (third team) and Caleb Spurlin (third team) At IMG Academy Gained coaching experience as a linebacker coach and post grad defensive coordinator At Wake Forest Earned his first full time position at Wake Forest as a defensive quality control assistant At Alabama State Served as a defensive graduate assistant at his a

Dillon Coletto joined Florida Atlantic as a student intern football videographer in July 2020. He was promoted to assistant director of football video in August 2023 and then to director of football video in January 2024. His responsibilities have included filming end-zones and sidelines for practices and games both at home and away, assisting in cleaning and intercutting master edits in XOS Catapult, and helping set up meeting rooms for the football film team. Coletto is a Florida Atlantic graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management Information Systems (May 2022) and a second Bachelor's degree in Multimedia Studies (August 2024). He is from Boca Raton, Florida, and currently works as an Arena Technical Coordinator for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League.

McCarthy brings the distinction of a national title as both a player (Washington) and as a coach (LSU) At Florida Atlantic Returned for his third stint on the Florida Atlantic staff, becoming wide receivers coach under Zach Kittley in December 2024 Coached four wide receivers to career-best seasons in 2025, with each recording 500+ yards and at least four touchdowns Most notably, redshirt junior Easton Messer finished as the nation's leader in receptions per game (104 total on 8.67 per game, second all-time in program history in a single season) and totaled 1,052 yards on six receiving touchdowns. He was named All-Conference second team by the American and received recognition by Phil Steele's Magazine, Pro Football Sports Network, and HERO Sports Group of Five Also making major contributions were redshirt juniors Jayshon Platt (46 catches, 720 yards, five TDs) and Dominique Henry (40 catches, 575 yards, four TDs), as well as redshirt sophomore Asaad Waseem (66 catches, 699 yards, five TDS) At Bethune-Cookman Served a second stint at Bethune-Cookman from 2023-24, this time as Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends In 2024, coached a special teams unit that tied for the FCS lead in kickoff return touchdowns with two At House of Athlete From 2021-22, served as a youth director and oversaw combine prep for former NFL star Brandon Marshall's House of Athlete, a high-level training center At FIU Worked as receivers coach during the shortened 2020 season At FAU R

Joined Florida Atlantic in May of 2025 as an Athletics Graphic Designer. In the spring of 2026, made the transition to football as the Director of Football Creative. Previously joined Spartan Vision, the award-winning strategic content creation & brand development team for Michigan State Athletics, in September of 2022 as a graphic design/creative intern, creating social media and branding graphics while working closely with the department's three full-time graphic designers. Served as the lead graphic designer for Michigan State women's basketball and softball as well as assisting in other sports and brand needs. Also became a photographer for the Michigan State athletic department in September of 2022, tasked with taking photos and getting them edited and uploaded to Michigan State team accounts, with photography work for Michigan State sports including baseball, soccer, tennis, field hockey, and volleyball. Earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from Michigan State in May of 2025. Proficient in English and Spanish.

Elisabeth Flores joined Florida Atlantic as Assistant Coordinator for Football Equipment in 2025. She previously worked with the Chicago Bears starting in May 2023 as a seasonal equipment intern, collaborating with the Director of Equipment and assistant equipment managers on day-to-day equipment operations tasks. She helped facilitate preparation of all player gameday and practice apparel needs while supporting equipment assistants with football equipment and accessories including staff gear, position-specific gloves and cleats, field equipment, and helmets. Flores began her equipment operations career at UTSA in 2019 as an athletics equipment student manager, assisting the Assistant Athletic Director of Equipment with day-to-day tasks, budgeting, and laundry duties. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UTSA with a minor in Psychology in May 2023.

At FAU Joined the staff as a graduate student worker in the fall of 2021 Assimilated into the FAU football staff as a graduate assistant worker with the know...

Farrah Chojnacki joined Florida Atlantic in the spring of 2026 as the Assistant Director of Football Performance Nutrition. She brings extensive experience in sports nutrition across multiple collegiate and professional settings. She completed a dietetic internship with the Houston Astros in early 2026, where she created athlete-focused nutrition handouts, identified cost-effective catering strategies, and conducted hydration and body composition assessments using advanced testing methods. Previously, she interned with International Vitamin Corporation, supporting supplement development through evidence-based research and marketing. Her collegiate experience includes serving as a sports nutrition volunteer at West Virginia University football in spring 2021 and Florida State University football in fall 2024, where she assisted with game-day fueling, hydration protocols, and athlete meal preparation. She completed a clinical dietetic internship at HCA Florida Capital Hospital and worked at FSU's FIGG Athlete Dining Hall, where she planned performance-focused meals and ensured food safety compliance. Chojnacki earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods with an emphasis in Dietetics from West Virginia University in May 2024 and is pursuing a Master's degree in Exercise Physiology with a Sports Nutrition Major from Florida State University, expected to graduate in May 2026. She has received the Golden Apple Service Award and multiple Dean's List honors.

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls in December of 2024 as Chief of Staff At Texas Tech Served three seasons with the Texas Tech football staff, where he was...

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls in December of 2024 as the squads tight ends coach In 2025 season, coached Michael Kirch to productive season with three ...

Joshua Geller joined Florida Atlantic as an Assistant Director of Video & Technology in January 2026. He previously served as a student video assistant from February 2024 through December 2025, where he was responsible for practice video, scrimmages and 2025 Pro Day. Geller has extensive experience in sports video and technology, having worked as a sideline technician for the XFL from February-April 2023, assisting coaches and players with tablet technology implementation. He also worked game days for the Miami Dolphins during the 2024 season. During his undergraduate career at the University of Central Florida, he served as a student video assistant, filming team practice, walkthroughs, games, and assisting in breaking down film for the coaching staff. He also filmed NFL-style team practices during Hula Bowl week. Geller earned a BSBA in Integrated Business from UCF in spring 2023 and completed a Sport Management MBA from Florida Atlantic in January 2025.

Korel Smith returned to his alma mater Florida Atlantic as Nickel Coach after two seasons at UT-Chattanooga. At UT-Chattanooga, he served as a secondary coach and co-special teams assistant specializing in punt return, mentoring Kam Brown, a first-team All-SoCon selection. He was a member of the staff that advanced to the second round of the 2023 FCS Playoff and helped the Mocs rank in the top five among SoCon members for interceptions and pass deflections in both 2023 and 2024. At Western Kentucky in 2022, Smith served as an assistant secondary coach and worked with several All-CUSA players including Kahlef Hailassie, Kaleb Oliver, and Upton Stout. The WKU secondary ranked 3rd nationally in interceptions with 19 in 2022. As a Florida Atlantic player from 2016-2021, Smith was a defensive back who earned All-CUSA 1st team honors in 2021 and was a member of two CUSA Conference championship teams (2017 and 2019), helping the Owls win bowl games in 2017 and 2019 and appear in the 2020 Montgomery Bowl. He played cornerback, nickel, and safety during his FAU career. Smith is a Miami native who earned a general studies degree from Florida Atlantic in 2020.

At Florida Atlantic Joined the staff following spring of 2025 as the team’s assistant inside linebacker coach At Coffeyville Spent the 2024 season working wi...

At Florida Atlantic Joined the staff in the spring of 2024 with a primary focus on football and women’s tennis At LSU Served as an intern during from June of...

At Florida Atlantic Returned to South Florida in January of 2025 as part of Coach Zach Kittley’s inaugural staff as an assistant director of operations and r...

At Florida Atlantic Joined the staff in January of 2025 At Philadelphia Phillies Served as the Minor League Sports Dietitian from February 2023 to October 20...

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls’ athletic training staff in the summer of 2023 as an Athletic Training Fellow, with a football focus In February 2024 add...

Shane Marinelli joined the Florida Atlantic University staff in February of 2022 after being a part of the FAU family since his undergraduate work and then a...

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Florida Atlantic football staff in December of 2024 as the Owls’ offensive line coach In first year in 2025, oversaw unit that...

At Florida Atlantic Joined the Owls in January of 2025 as a member of Head Coach Zach Kittley’s inaugural staff At Western Kentucky Served as WKU's Director ...

Trent Vasey joined Florida Atlantic along with Head Football Coach Zach Kittley in December 2024 as the assistant quarterbacks coach. He played an integral role in developing one of the top passing games nationwide and in Florida Atlantic history, with the team finishing No. 1 in DI in passing yards per game (340.2) and leading the nation in total completions. Previously, Vasey served as the Texas Tech assistant running back coach in 2024 after two seasons as an offensive graduate assistant focusing on wide receivers. His first stint in the Big 12 was at Kansas in 2021, where he worked with the wide receiver group during Lance Leipold's first season, which ended with a victory over Texas. Vasey worked two seasons at Stonehill College in Massachusetts as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator, and as a video coordinator. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Alfred University in New York, working with tight ends and running backs. As a player, Vasey was a four-year member of Western New England University's football program, earning all-conference accolades at tight end and helping lead the Golden Bears to a New England Football Conference title and NCAA Division III playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016. During his collegiate career, he also served as assistant director and coach of the Blue Chip Football Academy and Bulldog Football School, completed a coaching internship at Dean College in 2015, and was an administrative intern for athletics the follow

At Florida Atlantic Joined Coach Kittley and the staff in December of 2024 as the special teams coordinator With Kittley stressing the importance of the third phase of the game, Schovanec guided the Owls' special teams unit to new heights in 2025, with spots in the national rankings for extra point percentage, punt returns, and blocked punts Long snapper Jackson Lee was named to the American Conference First Team, the first Owl specialist to be named all-conference first team since 2015 Totaled two punt return touchdowns off blocks, coming in consecutive weeks Kicker Garrison Smith converted all 36 of his extra point attempts Punt returner Easton Messer set a program record in punt return average (20.83) while team was No. 3 nationally MEET COACH SCHOVANEC At Texas Tech (second stint) Served three seasons with the Texas Tech coaching staff, most recently as the assistant special teams coordinator and specialist coach The Red Raiders have ranked among the nation’s top special teams units during Schovanec’s three seasons on their sideline In 2024, finished regular season regular season nationally in multiple special teams statistical categories, including third in individual field goal percentage, sixth in kickoff return defense, 27th in blocked kicks, and 29th in overall special teams efficiency according to ESPN For the 2023 season, ranked in the top 20 nationally in four special teams statistical categories, finishing second in punt return average, sixth in kick return avera

Xavier Dampeer, CSCS is an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach who joined the Florida Atlantic Owls in January 2026. He previously served as an intern for North Carolina State in both 2024 and 2025, where he helped setup and organize training sessions and programs for student-athletes, conducted research on new methodologies to drive player performance progression, and worked with injured offensive linemen. Prior to NC State, Dampeer was an integral part of the strength and conditioning staff at Arkansas State from 2021, where he was instrumental in setting up training sessions, implementing training programs, leading position-specific drills for offensive linemen, and preparing them for their NFL Pro Days. He also served as an intern at South Dakota for two months before joining Arkansas State and holds experience at commercial training facilities. Dampeer is a former Auburn Tiger offensive lineman who started at center in 2016 and played three seasons with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL. He graduated from Auburn University in 2015 with an undergraduate degree in Public Administration and a graduate degree in adult education in December 2016.