Jerry Mack, the running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been hired as the new head coach of Kennesaw State’s football team. He takes over the position from Brian Bohannon, who was the only head coach in the program’s history before being let go with three games left in the regular season. Chandler Burks, who served as the interim coach, led the Owls through a challenging 2-10 season, including a 2-6 record in their first year as part of Conference USA.
Mack comes to Kennesaw State with a strong coaching background, including three seasons as the running backs coach at Tennessee. His prior experience as a head coach was at North Carolina Central, where he led the team from 2014 to 2017. During that time, Mack posted a 31-15 record and won three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships, showcasing his ability to build and lead successful teams at the collegiate level.
In his statement after being hired, Mack expressed his excitement about the opportunity to lead the program. He emphasized his goal of helping players succeed both academically and on the field, while developing them into strong individuals who will represent Kennesaw State with pride. Mack’s focus will be on continuing the program’s growth and maintaining a commitment to winning championships and fostering personal development for his players.
Kennesaw State’s athletic director, Milton Overton, praised Mack for his two decades of coaching experience, his strong connection with players, and his tireless approach to recruiting. Overton also highlighted Mack’s proven ability to run fast-paced and effective offensive systems, qualities that will be important as Kennesaw State looks to improve its performance at the FBS level.
Mack, who was involved in the Jaguars’ game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, is expected to transition to Kennesaw State after that. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson expressed gratitude for Mack’s contributions to the team, particularly his work with the running backs, and wished him the best in his new role. Under Bohannon, Kennesaw State saw success in its early years, including four appearances in the FCS playoffs, but struggled after moving to FBS, with a 10-22 record over the past three seasons.
