FAU Media Day 2018: Last Chance U, A Heisman Candidate and A Twenty-five Year Old Coach

Posted on August 19, 2018 by Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney

Boca Raton, FL – The Conference USA champions got off to a rough start last season losing three out of their first four games.  The Owls won ten straight games since that point and went on to win their first conference title since 2007.  Head Coach Lane Kiffin is going into his second year of a program that began in 2001.  He adds two new coordinators and several new coaches to his staff this season because of coaching departures.   Florida Atlantic will open the season against Oklahoma in Norman, so we will know right away how this team adjusts to the many changes of the off-season.  In the prior three seasons to 2017, FAU won only three games each season.

“In reality people still need to remember that this is a new program, this is our second year,” said Coach Kiffin at FAU’s media day.  “We are going to play a top five program right now and historically.  We are just grateful to have the opportunity to go play them, and I guess we’ll make a lot of money doing it to.”

FAU will receive 1.2 million to play the Oklahoma Sooners who are currently ranked at number five in the Coaches Poll.

Former Southern Miss defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro takes over for Chris Kiffin (younger brother of Lane) and Charlie Weis Jr. is the new offensive  coordinator taking over for Kendal Briles.  Weis Jr. is just twenty five years old, but has been working in football his entire life.

“It’s a blessing to be here,” said Weis Jr.  “When Coach Kiffin offered me the job.  It was an easy decision I’m blessed to be with these guys and coach these players, I just love being here, its been a blast.”

He worked with Lane at Alabama with game planning and explained that as an offensive coordinator he is in a similar role just with more responsibility.  While most at his age were playing football, Weis Jr. was developing his craft as a coach.

“I don’t try to hide from the fact that I didn’t play.  Growing up early on and getting involved in coaching, I think it did help give me a start and it helped me tremendously in terms of knowing the game.  Providing the players with all the information that I can being at Alabama and learning from the great minds over there has certainly helped me develop as a coach.”

Weis Jr. will continue to run a high tempo offense to keep defenses on their heels this season.  His dad was the offensive coordinator for the Florida Gators and worked with him breaking down game film for the coaching staff.


Weis Jr. will be monitoring a quarterback battle taking place in Boca this Fall.  FAU welcomed three transfers that will compete for the starting job after starter Jason Driskel decided to retire from football to concentrate on academics.  Oklahoma transfer Chris Robison, SMU transfer Rafe Peavy and former “Last Chance U” star DeAndre Johnson will all aim to start game one.

“It’s a blessing for me especially coming from the journey that I’ve been on,” said Johnson.  “I’m just fortunate to be here ready to play football again and do something I love and just to be apart of something magical that’s going on here, it’s great.”

Johnson says he has a good relationship with Lane Kiffin and and is blessed to have a platform for him to reach his highest potential.


Peavy, joined the program this summer and and thinks Kiffin’s offense is the best that he’s worked with thus far.

Other Last Chance U star Tim Bonner also joined Johnson at FAU and explains that there is a clear difference between Kiffin and East Mississsipi JUCO Head Coach Buddy Stephens.

“I never got into it with Buddy,” said Bonner.  “But here with Coach Kiffin, me and him got a good relationship, we always laugh and talk even on bad days.  He’s a good dude.  He’s a good coach that knows how to have fun.”

Bonner explained that he has a tight relationship with teammate Johnson and they talk every day and they are constantly with each other.  Bonner is greatly anticipating the opener with Oklahoma and hopes to make a big impact in that game.

“I daydream about that game all the time.  I never played against a power five school.  I can’t wait to get out there.”

FAU Defensive Lineman and former Last Chance U star Tim Bonner.

FAU will also be in the running for the Heisman Trophy with dynamic running back Devin Singletary.  Singletary from American Heritage (Delray) produced 2,116 yards from scrimmage and 33 touchdowns in 2017.  FAU went as far as putting up a billboard to promote his Heisman campaign.

“I just take it day by day,” said Singletary.  “The expectations make you go even harder because you have people out there watching you even more.  I’m going to show up every day.”

The FAU Owls play Oklahoma in Norman on September 1st at 12:00 PM on FOX.

About Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.
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