FIU Football: Defensive Coordinator Jovan Dewitt Extended Through 2024

Despite a 4-8 record this past season, the FIU defense saw a lot of team and individual improvements. With that, FIU has extended defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt through the 2024 season.

Following the season, G5 Football Daily requested the contracts of both FIU coordinators, as both coaches' contracts were set to expire in January 2024.

FIU Athletics provided a contract showing the aforementioned one-year extension for Dewitt, but didn't produce a new contract for Yost - only a 2/8/22 amendment to his original contract.

FIU Athletics

At the time of this article, it isn't known whether Yost and FIU are in the process of negotiating a new contract or an extension of his original contract, which was set to expire on 1/15/2024. 

In 2023, the Panthers defense ranked seventh in CUSA in rushing defense (190.8 yards per game) and sixth in defense against the pass (245.8 yards per game). 

Despite struggles late into the season, Dewitt played a key role in Donovan Manuel's development this season where he had over 100 total tackles and ended up setting the program record for most forced fumbles in a single season. Along with Manuel, Reggie Peterson also had over 100 total tackles on the season.

Dewitt has also provided the Panthers with help when it comes to recruitment, as he was key in locking down most of the 2024 class, currently ranked second in Conference USA per 247Sports.

The Panthers' defensive coordinator will now be entering his third year with the team and will look to see more growth in a year where four wins may not cut it for this FIU team.

Dewitt's previous stops include the University of North Carolina and UCF as well as defensive coordinator stints at Florida Atlantic and Northern Michigan.