Photo by: Aly Bayliss
Filani Named to ABIS Football Assistant Coaches Watch List
3/3/2026 4:10:00 PM | Football
Abilene Christian co-offensive coordinator Joel Filani has been recognized as one of the top Black football coaches in the country, landing on the 2025-26 Football Assistant Coaches Watch List by the organization Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS).
On the 17-member list, Filani is the only coach from the state of Texas.
"It is an honor to be recognized," said Filani, who is entering his second season at ACU. "It is always nice when others take notice of your hard work and success, and I am proud to represent ACU. Go Wildcats!"
Coaching ACU's wide receivers, Filani guided senior Javon Gipson to an All-American 2025 season. Gipson finished with 1,022 receiving yards, becoming just the 13th player in ACU history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in a season. Gipson was named 3rd Team All-America by FCS Football Central.
The Wildcats defeated four ranked teams and captured their second consecutive United Athletic Conference championship last season.
Filani, a two-time 1st Team All-Big 12 receiver, reunited with his old Texas Tech teammate and fellow offensive coordinator Graham Harrell when both were hired by ACU in January 2025.
ABIS was founded in 2020 and celebrates exceptional Black coaches who are making waves in their communities and the sports industry. ABIS provides financial literacy programs for college student-athletes and professionals. The organization also hosts seminars, webinars and podcasts devoted to addressing issues pertaining to Black athletes, coaches and administrators in all sports on all levels.
On the 17-member list, Filani is the only coach from the state of Texas.
"It is an honor to be recognized," said Filani, who is entering his second season at ACU. "It is always nice when others take notice of your hard work and success, and I am proud to represent ACU. Go Wildcats!"
Coaching ACU's wide receivers, Filani guided senior Javon Gipson to an All-American 2025 season. Gipson finished with 1,022 receiving yards, becoming just the 13th player in ACU history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in a season. Gipson was named 3rd Team All-America by FCS Football Central.
The Wildcats defeated four ranked teams and captured their second consecutive United Athletic Conference championship last season.
Filani, a two-time 1st Team All-Big 12 receiver, reunited with his old Texas Tech teammate and fellow offensive coordinator Graham Harrell when both were hired by ACU in January 2025.
ABIS was founded in 2020 and celebrates exceptional Black coaches who are making waves in their communities and the sports industry. ABIS provides financial literacy programs for college student-athletes and professionals. The organization also hosts seminars, webinars and podcasts devoted to addressing issues pertaining to Black athletes, coaches and administrators in all sports on all levels.
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