Kittley, Cochran tabbed to AFCA 35 Under 35 list
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittley and tight ends coach Josh Cochran were selected Monday for the 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute hosted by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Texas Tech was one of only two schools nationally with multiple coaches tabbed to the prestigious list of participants that covered every level of football from high school to the professional leagues. Michigan was the only other school with multiple selections from more than 150 applicants across the country.
The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.
To be eligible, applicants had to be born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or five-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant’s choosing this past summer.
Kittley and Cochran are both in their first season for a Red Raider football program that finished the regular season at 7-5 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play, marking Texas Tech’s most conference victories since 2009. Texas Tech’s offense has continued to excel especially under Kittley’s direction, averaging 33.6 points per game as well as a Big 12-leading 307.0 passing yards a contest.
The Red Raiders will continue their season Dec. 28 at the TaxAct Texas Bowl where Texas Tech will face Ole Miss. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. CT from NRG Stadium in Houston.
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Release provided by Matt Dowdy Texas Tech Athletics
