Jerry Mack Brings Two Decades of College Football Experience to Lead Kennesaw State in Its FBS Debut with Memphis Influence
After more than 20 years in the ever-changing and often unforgiving world of college football, Jerry Mack is finally getting the opportunity to lead his own Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program. Named the head coach of Kennesaw State as the Owls prepare for their transition into the FBS ranks, Mack brings with him a reputation for offensive ingenuity, player development, and quiet leadership forged through decades of experience at various levels of the sport. Perhaps most critically, he arrives with the blue-collar mentality and strategic insight developed during his recent stint at Memphis, where he played a pivotal role in building one of the most explosive offenses in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
For Kennesaw State, this moment is historic. The program, which played its first season only in 2015, has risen quickly through the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) ranks, establishing itself as a powerhouse under former coach Brian Bohannon. With a clear vision for growth and the infrastructure to support it, the school made the bold decision to jump into the FBS, joining Conference USA. To lead that charge, it turned to Mack—a coach whose résumé blends southern recruiting roots with a modern offensive mindset.
The hire isn’t just about experience; it’s about trajectory. Jerry Mack’s coaching journey began at Delta State and carried him through notable stops at programs like Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Jackson State, Central Arkansas, and Rice. But it was his time as the head coach at North Carolina Central from 2014 to 2017 that truly put him on the map. There, Mack posted a 31-15 record, won three consecutive MEAC championships, and earned national recognition for turning around a struggling program with limited resources. His tenure included a 2016 Black College National Championship and multiple Coach of the Year honors.
That success made him an attractive candidate for bigger opportunities, and in 2018, he accepted the offensive coordinator role at Rice. The move to Memphis in 2021 as the run game coordinator and running backs coach, and later as offensive coordinator, gave Mack a chance to prove himself at a higher level of competition. Under his guidance, Memphis continued to put up big offensive numbers and maintained its reputation as one of the AAC’s most dangerous teams on that side of the ball. He played a vital role in developing talent, managing schemes, and adjusting to the modern tempo-driven world of college football offense.
At Memphis, Mack was known not just for his technical skills, but for his leadership and mentorship. He was instrumental in helping the Tigers’ offense remain productive even amid quarterback changes, roster turnover, and the increasingly chaotic college football transfer landscape. Players respected his consistency and knowledge, and fellow coaches appreciated his ability to both innovate and simplify, depending on the needs of the moment. That versatility is exactly what Kennesaw State needs as it embarks on the most important chapter in its young football history.
Transitioning to the FBS is no small feat. The level of competition is steeper, the recruiting landscape more cutthroat, and the margin for error far narrower. For Kennesaw State, moving into Conference USA means competing against established programs that already have years of FBS infrastructure and recruiting momentum behind them. That’s where Mack’s experience becomes invaluable. Having spent the last few years inside an FBS program that routinely produced NFL-caliber talent and competed for conference titles, he knows exactly what it takes to succeed at this level.
Perhaps even more importantly, Mack understands the kind of players and culture required to build a sustainable winner in today’s college football environment. He’s recruiting during an era dominated by NIL deals, the transfer portal, and increased player mobility. His approach blends traditional development with modern adaptability—an understanding that programs must do more than just survive chaos; they must learn how to win within it.
One of Mack’s greatest assets is his southern recruiting network. Having coached and recruited in Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, and throughout the southeastern United States, he brings strong ties to the high school football hotbeds that Kennesaw State must mine to be competitive in the FBS. That regional familiarity will give the Owls a needed advantage as they work to attract athletes who might otherwise overlook a newly-transitioned program.
In addition to recruiting, Mack is expected to install a dynamic offense that aligns with what fans have seen at Memphis and elsewhere. Though the exact schemes and playbooks are yet to be revealed, Mack has a track record of favoring fast-paced, balanced offenses that use tempo and space to create mismatches. At North Carolina Central, his teams were known for being explosive yet disciplined, and at Memphis, he helped keep an already potent offensive attack running smoothly through coaching transitions and player injuries.
But Mack’s arrival isn’t just about Xs and Os. It’s also about culture. He inherits a program that has already tasted success but must now rebrand itself to compete at the FBS level. Culture, leadership, and identity become even more important during such transitions, and Mack’s steady hand may be the exact kind of leadership Kennesaw State needs. His calm demeanor, detailed preparation, and player-first mentality were all hallmarks at his previous stops, and they will be critical as the Owls navigate the tougher terrain ahead.
It’s clear the university believes in his vision. Athletic director Milton Overton spoke highly of Mack’s holistic approach to coaching, praising his ability to develop young men on and off the field. That kind of endorsement suggests that Kennesaw State isn’t just looking for short-term wins—it’s aiming to build a program that can grow into a respected FBS contender over time.
The 2025 season will be the true test. As Kennesaw State lines up against fully established FBS programs for the first time, the spotlight will be on Jerry Mack in a way it never has before. While the Owls may not be expected to win Conference USA immediately, the early signs of progress—competitive games, improved recruiting, and a disciplined style of play—will all be indicators of the direction Mack is taking the team.
There will be growing pains, as there are with any major transition. The jump in competition is real, and Kennesaw State will need time to adjust. But Jerry Mack is not a coach who panics under pressure. His history shows a man who is methodical, patient, and driven by results. He’s not one to chase headlines or sell empty promises. Instead, he focuses on building strong foundations—whether in the locker room, the film room, or the recruiting trail.
If there’s one thing college football has proven in the 21st century, it’s that the right coach can change everything. Programs like UCF, Appalachian State, and Coastal Carolina have all shown that rising from the lower divisions to FBS success is possible with the right leadership. Kennesaw State now hopes to be the next school to join that list, and it believes that Jerry Mack is the coach to get them there.
The story of Jerry Mack at Kennesaw State is still in its earliest chapters. But the ingredients are there for something special: a hungry program, a rising conference, and a head coach who has paid his dues, learned from every step, and is now ready to lead at the highest level of college football. As the Owls prepare for their FBS debut, they do so with a leader whose vision is as clear as his résumé is deep.
In the ever-changing landscape of college football, few things are certain. But for Kennesaw State, the decision to entrust its future to Jerry Mack represents a calculated bet on experience, leadership, and growth. And if Mack’s past success is any indication, the Owls may have just found the man to take them higher than ever before.
