Zach Lankford returned to WKU in February 2019 for his second stint with the Hilltoppers and currently serves as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He was tight ends coach during the 2019 and 2020 seasons and served in a quality control role on the offense in 2021.
2020
Tight end Joshua Simon followed up an impressive freshman campaign with another productive season, ranking third on the Hilltoppers with 33 receptions for 370 yards, while his three scores stood second. The Dalzell, S.C., native pushed his career marks to 63 catches for 800 yards and seven touchdowns in his first two years on The Hill.
Meanwhile, senior Steven Witchoskey was honored multiple times for his studies and work off the field. The Plant City, Fla., native was listed as a National Football Foundation (NFF) Campbell Trophy Semifinalist while also earning NFF Hampshire Honor Society distinction. He was also named the Hilltoppers' Conference USA Spirit of Service winner for Fall 2020.
2019
In his first season on The Hill as a full-time coach, Lankford helped develop a tight end group that in the past has been the focal point of the WKU offense. Joshua Simon recorded 30 receptions for 430 yards and four touchdowns in his true freshman campaign, which helped helped him be named to the Midseason FWAA Freshman All-American Watch List and Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
During the 2019 bowl season, Simon was the only tight end in the nation with a 100-yard receiving game, as the true freshman had 106 yards vs. Western Michigan in the First Responder Bowl. In addition, Kyle Fourtenbary was named to the 2019 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List and then Honorable Mention John Mackey Tight End of the Week after grabbing five catches for 74 yards at FIU.
Previous
Lankford spent three seasons at WKU from 2014-16. His time coincided with three consecutive bowl victories and two consecutive Conference USA championships.
In his first stint, Lankford assisted with the offensive line and helped to develop one of the program's all-time greatest offensive line groups in 2015 and 2016. Those two units were also roundly considered some of the nation's best with starters Forrest Lamp, Brandon Ray, Max Halpin and Darrell Williams leading the charge.
Lankford then spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons at Faulkner University as the program's offensive line coach.
Prior to coming to WKU, Lankford served as the Associate Director of Recruiting and Player Development at UAB, managing the program’s on-campus recruiting efforts and high school relations. Lankford was also a stand-out tight end for the Blazers, completing his playing career in 2009.
Lankford entered the coaching profession at Reinhardt University (NAIA) where he was an offensive intern and tight ends coach. Following a season there, he moved on to Georgia Military College (NJCAA) as the offensive line and tight ends coach.
Lankford earned his bachelor’s degree in History at UAB in 2010 after a four-year playing career for the Blazers. As a player, Lankford appeared in 39 games overall after a high school career that included a Georgia Class 7-AAAAA championship in 2004.
He is married to the former Anna Crabb, and the couple has one son, Jack, and a daughter, Vada.
THE ZACH LANKFORD FILE
PERSONAL
Born: Nov. 21, 1986
Hometown: Dacula, Ga.
College: UAB, ‘10
Wife: Anna
Children: Jack
PLAYING CAREER (Tight End)
College: UAB (2006-10)
COACHING CAREER
2011: Reinhardt (Tight Ends)
2012: Georgia Military (Offensive Line)
2013: UAB (Associate Director of Recruiting and Player Development)
2014: WKU (Graduate Assistant)
2015-16: WKU (Offensive Quality Control)
2017-18: Faulkner (Offensive Line)
2019-2020: WKU (Tight Ends)
2021: WKU (Offensive Quality Control)
2022-present: WKU (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)
