Joel Filani, a two-time first-team All-Big 12 wide receiver in 2005 and 2006 with ACU offensive coordinator Graham Harrell throwing him the ball, enters his first season as ACU"s wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator in 2025.

Filani was the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Northern Iowa in 2024. He also served as the wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator at Northern Arizona in 2022 and 2023. Previously, he was the wide receivers coach at Texas Tech from 2019-2021, collaborating with Keith Patterson, the defensive coordinator, during those three seasons.

Filani has also coached at Boise State, Washington State, and North Texas, collaborating with Harrell at Washington and North Texas. 

As a junior at Texas Tech in 2005, Filani earned first-team All-Big 12 honors by catching 65 passes for 1,007 yards and eight touchdowns, contributing to the Red Raiders' 9-3 record and appearance in the Cotton Bowl. In 2006, he again earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition after recording 91 catches for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading the Red Raiders to an 8-5 finish and victory in the Insight Bowl.

Filani was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft and played for Tennessee, Minnesota, Seattle, Detroit, St. Louis (Rams), and Tampa Bay through the 2009 season.


Coach Keith Patterson says...
"Joel is a tremendous recruit and a great coach. He was a great player and is very well respected. He also has a great connection with offensive coordinator Graham Harrell."