Defensive Line Coach; Texas Tech University
Zarnell Fitch enters his first season on the Texas Tech coaching staff as he was named the defensive line coach by head coach Joey McGuire on Dec. 8. Fitch, another one-time Texas High School Coaches Association member to join McGuire's charter staff, had previously served in a similar role at TCU. Fitch has overseen the TCU defensive line each of the past six years 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, he has been part of six bowl teams during his time at TCU and three seasons of 10 or more wins. Since being named the defensive line coach in 2016, Fitch has helped TCU rank near the top of the Big 12 in combined sacks annually as the Horned Frogs have found the quarterback 183 times during that span, the second-highest total currently among conference members. During that time, TCU has ranked among the top-40 schools nationally in sacks per game and tackles for loss per contest in four of his six seasons, rising to as high as No. 6 for sacks in 2016 and No. 10 in TFLs in 2020. Fitch has mentored 11 Horned Frogs who have earned All-Big 12 honors during his tenure, a list that features four first-team selections. Fitch was a 2017 finalist for National Defensive Line Coach of the Year by FootballScoop.com. TCU had 42 sacks that season, 11 more than any other conference team, as the Horned Frogs were fifth nationally in rushing defense after allowing only 103.9 yards per game on the ground. TCU featured a dominating defensive line under Fitch as Blacklock and Corey Bethley both earned Freshman All-American honors, while Banogu was tabbed the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
