FREE
WEBINAR
Recruitment 101: Strategies for Football Recruitment Success
Navigating Parental Roles, Communication with Coaches, Tips for Getting Your Athletes Noticed, Understanding Recent Changes like NIL and Transfer Portal
Zarnell Fitch
Texas Tech Football - Defensive Line Coach
Tuesday, January 30
1PM PT
2PM MT
3PM CT
4PM ET
MORE ABOUT THE WEBINAR
Join our webinar, Recruitment 101: Strategies for Football Recruitment Success, hosted by Texas Tech's Defense Line Coach, Zarnell Fitch. We'll provide an unparalleled platform for parents, athletes and coaches to master effective communication and strategy techniques. Coach Fitch will delve into critical subjects such as how to navigate parental roles in the recruitment process, advice on how to make your athletes stand out and tips for fruitful interaction with coaches. He'll also provide attendees with an updated understanding of recent pivotal changes in football recruitment, like Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the Transfer Portal. Arm yourself with powerful knowledge to efficiently chart your course to success.
ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE
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MEET THE SPEAKER
Zarnell Fitch
Texas Tech Football - Defensive Line Coach
Zarnell Fitch enters his second season at Texas Tech as the Red Raiders’ defensive line coach.
Fitch, no stranger to the Big 12 Conference, is regarded as one of the top defensive-line developers in the country, especially after his debut season with the Red Raiders. Known as the quarterback hunters now at Texas Tech, Fitch’s defensive line was among the Red Raiders’ top units for a program that finished 8-5 overall and recorded its best finish in the Big 12 standings in more than a decade.
Fitch arrived at Texas Tech after previously serving in a similar role at TCU prior to his hiring by McGuire. Fitch oversaw the TCU defensive line each of the previous six seasons with the Horned Frogs after beginning his tenure as the Director of High School Relations in 2014. Fitch served his alma mater in that role for two years before earning the promotion to a full-time position coach. Over his tenure, Fitch was part of six bowl teams at TCU and three seasons of 10 or more wins.
Over his tenure, Fitch helped TCU rank near the top of the Big 12 in combined sacks annually as the Horned Frogs found the quarterback 183 times over his six seasons, the third-highest total among conference members. During that time, TCU ranked among the top-40 schools nationally in sacks per game and tackles for loss per contest in four different seasons, rising to as high as No. 6 for sacks in 2016 and No. 10 in TFLs in 2020.
Fitch was a 2017 finalist for National Defensive Line Coach of the Year by FootballScoop.com after TCU notched 42 sacks that season, 11 more than any other conference team. The Horned Frogs were fifth nationally in rushing defense after allowing only 103.9 yards per game on the ground behind a dominating defensive line. Blacklock and Corey Bethley both earned Freshman All-American honors that season, while Banogu was tabbed the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
Fitch's hire as TCU's defensive line coach returned him to the same position he once starred at for the Horned Frogs as he was a two-year letterman from 2004-05. A transfer from Navarro College, Fitch appeared in all 12 contests and made three starts as a senior, notably making a pair of interceptions that season, the final one of which coming in TCU's win over Iowa State in the EV1.net Houston Bowl.
Following his collegiate career, Fitch later spent time with the New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent before eventually playing two additional seasons in arena football.
After retiring from football, Fitch joined the coaching staff at Lincoln High School in 2012, serving as an assistant coach for two seasons before being named head coach for the 2013 season. Fitch led the Tigers to a 7-4 record that season, which included a win over Dallas Carter in the Class 4A playoffs. He was also a special education teacher during his time at Lincoln.
Fitch earned his degree in communications and a minor in social work from TCU in 2006. Fitch and his wife, Mollie, have three sons, Zarnell III, Hunter and King, as well as two daughters, Haylee and Hope.
