Kennesaw State University has named Jerry Mack, the running backs coach for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, as the new head coach of their football program. The announcement comes after the firing of Brian Bohannon, who had led the Owls since the team’s inception in 2015.
Mack, 44, brings a wealth of coaching experience to Kennesaw State. Prior to his stint with the Jaguars, he served as the running backs coach for the University of Tennessee for three seasons. His head coaching experience includes a highly successful run at North Carolina Central University from 2014-2017, where he amassed a 31-15 record and captured three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships.
I am grateful and honored to be entrusted as the leader and standard bearer of our team. 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.
– Jerry Mack, New Kennesaw State Head Coach
A New Era for Kennesaw State Football
Mack’s hiring signals a new direction for the Owls, who have struggled in recent years. After a strong start as an FCS program, including four playoff appearances in their first seven seasons, Kennesaw State has faltered since moving up to the FBS level and joining Conference USA in 2022. The team has gone just 10-22 over the past three seasons, culminating in a disappointing 2-10 campaign in 2024 that led to Bohannon’s dismissal.
Athletic Director Milton Overton expressed confidence that Mack is the right person to turn things around. “Coach Mack has proven experience running up-tempo and productive offensive schemes,” Overton said. “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.”
Implementing a New Offensive Philosophy
One of Mack’s first orders of business will be to revamp the Owls’ offense. As a running backs coach, he has a track record of developing productive ground games. At North Carolina Central, his teams consistently ranked among the MEAC leaders in rushing offense. And in Jacksonville this past season, the Jaguars finished 10th in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
Expect Mack to implement a run-heavy offensive scheme that takes advantage of Kennesaw State’s personnel. The Owls return their top two running backs from last season in sophomore Ikaika Cummings and junior Jaden Thomas. Those two combined for over 1,200 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns in 2024, providing a solid foundation to build around.
Restoring a Winning Culture
Beyond Xs and Os, perhaps Mack’s greatest challenge will be to restore a winning culture within the program. The Owls’ struggles over the past few seasons have taken a toll on team morale and fan enthusiasm. Attendance at Fifth Third Bank Stadium dipped to an all-time low in 2024, with the team averaging just 8,742 fans per home game.
Mack will look to energize the fan base by putting an exciting product on the field and connecting with the community. He has already hit the ground running on the recruiting trail, reportedly visiting several top local prospects within hours of being hired. Building relationships with high school coaches and closing the borders to keep Georgia talent at home will be critical to the Owls’ success going forward.
Jerry is a rising star in the coaching ranks. He’s a great recruiter, a strong motivator, and knows how to build relationships with his players. I think Kennesaw State hit a home run with this hire.
– Anonymous coaching source
Reasons for Optimism
While the Owls have fallen on hard times recently, there are reasons for optimism as the Mack era begins. The cupboard is not entirely bare, with several promising young players on both sides of the ball. In addition to Cummings and Thomas in the backfield, sophomore quarterback Xavier Shepherd flashed potential as a dual-threat weapon late last season. On defense, freshman linebacker Peyton Zachrich led the team in tackles and looks like a future star.
The move to Conference USA, while challenging in the short term, also provides long-term opportunities. C-USA’s media deal puts Kennesaw State games on national television, providing valuable exposure for the program. The conference’s footprint in major markets like Dallas, Houston, and Miami opens up new pipelines for recruiting as well.
Most of all, Mack’s hiring provides a fresh start and a renewed sense of hope. His charismatic personality and track record of player development have fans dreaming of a return to the success of the program’s early years. If he can instill his vision and get buy-in from the players, the sky’s the limit for Owl football.
The Road Ahead
Make no mistake, rebuilding the Kennesaw State program will be a process. Mack inherits a team that was outscored by an average of 20 points per game last season. The non-conference schedule includes daunting trips to UCF and Ole Miss, and C-USA foes like Western Kentucky and UTSA will provide stiff tests in league play.
However, Owl fans should be encouraged by the groundwork Mack is already laying. In addition to his aggressive recruiting push, he is in the process of assembling an experienced coaching staff to surround himself with. Several coaches with ties to successful FCS and Group of 5 programs are rumored to be joining him in Kennesaw.
The 2025 season will likely be one of transition as Mack implements his systems and the roster adjusts to the new regime. But by 2026, don’t be surprised to see Kennesaw State back in the thick of the C-USA race and contending for a bowl bid. The pieces are in place for the Owls to take flight under Jerry Mack’s leadership.
Expect Mack to implement a run-heavy offensive scheme that takes advantage of Kennesaw State’s personnel. The Owls return their top two running backs from last season in sophomore Ikaika Cummings and junior Jaden Thomas. Those two combined for over 1,200 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns in 2024, providing a solid foundation to build around.
Restoring a Winning Culture
Beyond Xs and Os, perhaps Mack’s greatest challenge will be to restore a winning culture within the program. The Owls’ struggles over the past few seasons have taken a toll on team morale and fan enthusiasm. Attendance at Fifth Third Bank Stadium dipped to an all-time low in 2024, with the team averaging just 8,742 fans per home game.
Mack will look to energize the fan base by putting an exciting product on the field and connecting with the community. He has already hit the ground running on the recruiting trail, reportedly visiting several top local prospects within hours of being hired. Building relationships with high school coaches and closing the borders to keep Georgia talent at home will be critical to the Owls’ success going forward.
Jerry is a rising star in the coaching ranks. He’s a great recruiter, a strong motivator, and knows how to build relationships with his players. I think Kennesaw State hit a home run with this hire.
– Anonymous coaching source
Reasons for Optimism
While the Owls have fallen on hard times recently, there are reasons for optimism as the Mack era begins. The cupboard is not entirely bare, with several promising young players on both sides of the ball. In addition to Cummings and Thomas in the backfield, sophomore quarterback Xavier Shepherd flashed potential as a dual-threat weapon late last season. On defense, freshman linebacker Peyton Zachrich led the team in tackles and looks like a future star.
The move to Conference USA, while challenging in the short term, also provides long-term opportunities. C-USA’s media deal puts Kennesaw State games on national television, providing valuable exposure for the program. The conference’s footprint in major markets like Dallas, Houston, and Miami opens up new pipelines for recruiting as well.
Most of all, Mack’s hiring provides a fresh start and a renewed sense of hope. His charismatic personality and track record of player development have fans dreaming of a return to the success of the program’s early years. If he can instill his vision and get buy-in from the players, the sky’s the limit for Owl football.
The Road Ahead
Make no mistake, rebuilding the Kennesaw State program will be a process. Mack inherits a team that was outscored by an average of 20 points per game last season. The non-conference schedule includes daunting trips to UCF and Ole Miss, and C-USA foes like Western Kentucky and UTSA will provide stiff tests in league play.
However, Owl fans should be encouraged by the groundwork Mack is already laying. In addition to his aggressive recruiting push, he is in the process of assembling an experienced coaching staff to surround himself with. Several coaches with ties to successful FCS and Group of 5 programs are rumored to be joining him in Kennesaw.
The 2025 season will likely be one of transition as Mack implements his systems and the roster adjusts to the new regime. But by 2026, don’t be surprised to see Kennesaw State back in the thick of the C-USA race and contending for a bowl bid. The pieces are in place for the Owls to take flight under Jerry Mack’s leadership.
