Few coaches at any level can match the offensive background of Jeff Faris.
The former Duke University player who both competed and launched his collegiate career under David Cutcliffe and also has worked as a key assistant for Chip Kelly has some offensive bona fides matched by few coaches at any level.
As Faris enters Year 2 atop the Austin Peay program, a blossoming FCS competitor that gave Faris his first-ever head coaching job, he's seeking to elevate the work on the defensive side of the ball.
With that in mind, multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Faris and defensive coordinator Tripp Weaver are parting ways after one year together.
The Govs were 4-7 against FCS foes in the debut year for Faris; they allowed 24 or more points to seven of their 11 FCS opponents.
Weaver had previous coaching experience at James Madison and The Citadel, among other stints in his young coaching career.
Additionally, per sources, Faris also is separating from cornerbacks coach Khyle Jackson, who spent one season at Austin Peay. Jackson is a former North Alabama player who previously had coached in the high school ranks as well as a graduate assistant post at FBS program South Alabama.
Austin Peay is scheduled to open its 2025 season with back-to-back "money games" against FBS competitors.
The Govs visit MidState program MTSU on Aug. 30, followed a week later by a trip to perennial SEC power Georgia, which just lost to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.