KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State University has named a new head football coach weeks after letting their first-ever head coach go.
Jerry Mack will now be the second football head coach in the university's history. According to a release, Mack is a veteran collegiate coach with 20 years of experience and five conference championships.
Mack is the replacement to Brian Bohannan, who had been with the Owls for 10 seasons and led KSU to become one of the most successful startup teams in FCS history within just five years.
The new head coach comes to KSU after a season as the Jacksonville Jaguars running backs coach and three seasons as the running backs coach at the University of Tennessee.
According to a release, Tennessee compiled a 27-12 record with Mack on staff. The team also jumped 73 spots in the FBS over its previous year to rank No. 11 nationally in his first season, putting up 217.8 rushing yards per game in 2021. The Vols shattered eight offensive records that same year and ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense, offensive yards per play and third down offense.
Mack was with Tennesee from 2021 through 2023 before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as a running back coach in 2024. The coach is originally from Memphis and graduated from Arkansas State with a bachelor's in management information and Delta State with a master's in physical education.
KSU Director of Athletics Milton Overton said the decision came after an extensive national search. Overton stated that Mack's values and professional qualifications align with the strategic direction of the football program.
"He has 20 years of coaching experience at all levels, has shown a longstanding ability to connect with players, and owns a relentless recruiting mindset," Overton said. "Coach Mack has proven experience running up-tempo and productive offensive schemes."
Mack said he and his family are excited to join the Owl family and that he is honored to be entrusted as the team's leader.
"KSU is one of the fastest-growing institutions in the country with no ceiling on the potential opportunities it presents for our student-athletes," Mack stated. "I'm looking forward to helping our young men build on the success of our program, obtain degrees, win championships, and develop into great citizens that our KSU family will be proud of."
To learn more about Mack and his career, click here.
