Jeff Faris keeps retooling and fine-tuning his Austin Peay staff as Faris, a former Duke player who's worked hand-in-hand with both David Cutcliffe and Chip Kelly, seeks to guide the Govs toward FCS Playoff contention in 2025.
Now, Faris is closing in on finalizing his Year 2 staff, per sources.
FootballScoop has learned Wednesday that Faris is finalizing a deal to make Lucas Reed Austin Peay's special teams coordinator.
It's poised to be another strong hire for Faris, who's coached at both Duke and UCLA before he became Austin Peay's leader a year ago. Earlier this coaching cycle, Faris nabbed Greg Jones from rival Tennessee Tech to run the AP defense;
Not only has Reed worked previously with Lembo but he also learned under Chris Monfilleto, a special teams tactician with ACC experience whom Lembo recently hired to run his special teams units at Buffalo.
Per sources, Reed is expected to start his role with the Govs by this weekend.
In addition to recruiting events and visits on and off campus, Austin Peay is set to open its second spring camp under Faris the last week of February.
The Govs, after winning four games in 2024, return numerous key starters on both sides of the ball for a program scheduled to open its 2025 season Aug. 30 at MTSU before traveling a week later to face Kirby Smart's SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs.