KENNESAW, Ga. — After helping build the foundation of Kennesaw State University's football program over ten years ago as its first signee, Chandler Burks is stepping into a new role -- interim head coach.
The news of the leadership change arguably came as a shock to Owl nation after longtime KSU Head Coach Brian Bohannan was let go last week with three games left in the season. Bohannon had been the head coach for over 10 seasons and led the Owls to become one of the most successful startup teams in FCS history within just five years.
The shakeup led to co-offensive coordinator Chandler Burks to be interim head coach for the remainder of the season. According to his university biography, Burks was the first signee and spent five years on campus from 2013 to 2018. The quarterback is the most decorated player in program history and finished his career with a 31-6 record as starter, 3,638 passing yards and 33 touchdowns and a prolific record as a mobile QB with 2,813 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns.
His 29 rushing TDs in 2018 are a single-season FCS record for a quarterback.
The interim head coach's first game was against Sam Houston State on Saturday, where the Owls lost 23-17.
But despite the loss, Burks said that the team coming together and playing amid the leadership change spoke to their character.
"Adversity illuminates character," Burks said.
He added that losing Bohannon is one of the most adverse situations they've been in this year. He said it's a credit to the players to be willing to continue to show up every single day.
"We talked about it this week. We were going to stand together, fight together, bleed together," Burks stated after Saturday's game. "And unfortunately, that just didn't equate to the result that we were obviously hoping for and wishing for tonight."
Burks explained that although it was surreal how he has journeyed from player to interim head coach, the new title wasn't at the forefront of his mind this week.
"All I was thinking about was these young men every single day," Burks said. "Because at the end of the day, it affected everybody."
And as he takes the reins to finish off the season, Burks credited former head coach Bohannon and said that he taught him everything. He added that he owes Bohannon a lot.
"I am forever in debt to that man," he said. "He's shown me as a person; you show up, and you put your best foot forward every single day."