On the eve of FAU opening its 2019 football spring practices, head coach Lane Kiffin, who enters his third spring at the helm of the Owls, announced the 2019 football staff on Monday.

The Owls will see changes on the defensive side of the ball with Glenn Spencer taking over as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Spencer is joined by newcomers Lance Thompson and Jason Jones. The trio will combine with Wes Neighbors, returning for his second season as the safeties coach, to make up the defensive coaching staff. Thompson will concentrate his efforts with the defensive line, and will also serve as recruiting coordinator, while Jones will work with the cornerbacks.

On the offensive side of the ball, Charlie Weis, Jr. will again serve as the Owls’ tactician as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Kevin Smith (running backs) and Clint Trickett (tight ends), will join Weis as FAU veterans on the offensive side of the ball while Jeff Norrid also returns, but moves from his role in 2018 as an offensive analyst to offensive line assistant coach. Boca Raton native, D.J. McCarthy, who was with the program during its 2017 record-breaking season and spent 2018 coaching in the Canadian Football League, returns to focus his attention on the wide receivers.

Special teams will again be led by Jaron Fairman, who has been with the program since 2017 and was elevated to special teams coordinator in 2018.

Full Staff

Lane Kiffin – Head Coach

Wilson Love – Assistant Head Coach & Head Football Strength & Conditioning Coach

Glenn Spencer – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

Charlie Weis, Jr. – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Lance Thompson – Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator

Jaron Fairman – Special Teams Coordinator

Jason Jones – Cornerbacks

DJ McCarthy – Wide Receivers

Wes Neighbors – Safeties

Jeff Norrid – Offensive Line

Kevin Smith – Running Backs

Clint Trickett – Tight Ends

Reilly Jeffers – Offensive Line Graduate Assistant

Frank Diaz – Wide Receivers Graduate Assistant

Dean Garza – Defensive Backs Graduate Assistant

Dorvus Woods – Defensive Line Graduate Assistant

Clayton Leach – Director of Video

Matt Weisner – Assistant Video Coordinator

Ernie Sims – Director of Football Operations

Danielle Lyons – Associate Director of Football Operations

Hunter Greer – Assistant Director of Football Operations

Ryan Able – Football Operations Assistant

Ella Briscoe – Administrative Assistant

Michael Nysewander – Assistant Director of Player Development

Davis Merritt – Player Development Assistant

Chris Perkins – Player Development Assistant

Monte Kiffin – Defensive Analyst/Pro Liaison

Al Harris – Defensive Volunteer

DP Eyman – Offensive Volunteer

Joe Pucciarelli – Defensive Student Assistant

Aaron Gonzales – Defensive Student Assistant

Alex Collins – Director of Player Personnel

Roy Reiser – Assistant Director of Recruiting

Taylor Lee – Operations and Recruiting Assistant

Nate York – Strength Assistant

Geno Smith – Strength Assistant

Nate Kengle – Strength Intern

Julio Aguilar – Strength Intern

Is that Alex Collins the ex-Razorback/Raven RB from down here?

teambeer said

Is that Alex Collins the ex-Razorback/Raven RB from down here?

Posted On: Mar 18th 2019, 9:52 PM #385550

Don't think so.

Alex Collins - Director of Player Personnel - Staff Directory - Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Thanks. Probably better off, I think the other Alex Collins was released from Baltimore for something bad.

I'll never forget his signing day, his mom ran off with his paperwork bc she didn't want him to go to Arkansas (thanks Charlie Partridge!)

FAU football: Brent Stockstill is new offensive player personnel assistant.

Stockstill should have to go through some sort of hazing first for last year 

Geno Smith and Al Harris both on staff interesting to see some former NFL guys in entry level positions Geno just retired right?

LawOwl said

Geno Smith and Al Harris both on staff interesting to see some former NFL guys in entry level positions Geno just retired right?

Posted On: Jul 25th 2019, 4:48 PM #387326

Different Geno Smith, this one was a DB at Alabama when Kiffin was there. This Geno Smith tweets about baseball and HBO shows. He’s probably my new favorite assistant coach. 

Al Harris is NFL Al Harris, though. He was with Tampa for a bit when Monte was there. 

JakeElman said

LawOwl said

Geno Smith and Al Harris both on staff interesting to see some former NFL guys in entry level positions Geno just retired right?

Posted On: Jul 25th 2019, 4:48 PM #387326

Different Geno Smith, this one was a DB at Alabama when Kiffin was there. This Geno Smith tweets about baseball and HBO shows. He’s probably my new favorite assistant coach. 

Al Harris is NFL Al Harris, though. He was with Tampa for a bit when Monte was there. 

Posted On: Jul 25th 2019, 7:22 PM #387327

He was with Green Bay for a long time too.

Good, I am glad he is here, can he be our QB Coach and up out QB's level of play to be near what his was - that is all that matters to me. He was a good QB and a gamer!!!