Kennesaw St had only one head football coach in program history. With the addition of Jerry Mack, they now have their second.
Mack arrives at the Conference USA program after a season with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the running backs coach and three seasons as the running backs coach for the Tennessee Volunteers.
“My family and I are extremely excited to join the Owl family! I want to thank Director of Athletics Milton Overton and President Kathy Schwaig for this phenomenal opportunity. KSU is one of the fastest-growing institutions in the country with no ceiling on the potential opportunities it presents for our student-athletes,” said Mack in a statement. “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.”
Under Mack’s leadership in Knoxville, the Volunteers made a huge surge offensively. According to Kennesaw, the program “jumped 73 spots in the FBS over its previous year to rank 11th nationally in Mack’s first season, putting up 217.8 rushing yards per game in 2021.”
The Volunteers broke eight offensive records in 2021 and ranked top 25 nationally in scoring offense, including 11th in rushing offense (217.8, 11th). In his final season with Tennessee, the team led the SEC in rushing with 204.8 ypg, ranking them ninth overall in the nation.
Mack arrives at Kennesaw with over 20 years of coaching experience and five conference titles. Under his guidance, teams like Rice flourished in the run game.
He also has head coaching experience, spending four seasons at HBCU program North Carolina Central, where he was one of the youngest head coaches at the FBS/FCS level and compiled an overall record of 31-15 and was named the 2016 HBCU Football Coach of the Year by Black College Sports Page and The Pigskin Club in Washington, D.C.
“Coach Mack’s values and professional qualifications align with the strategic direction of our football program,” said Kennesaw St. Director of Athletics Milton Overton. “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. Coach Mack has proven experience running up-tempo and productive offensive schemes.”
Mack began his collegiate playing career at Jackson St., before transferring to Arkansas St after one season, where he played for three seasons.
After graduating with a degree in management information systems in 2003 and completing his master’s degree in physical education from Delta State in 2006, he entered the coaching ranks through NFL internships with teams like the Jets, Bills, Texans and Dolphins before settling down in Jacksonville with a full-time position with the Jaguars in 2024.
“Jerry Mack is an outstanding hire as the next head coach at Kennesaw State,” said Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel. “Jerry has the experience, knowledge and leadership to thrive in this role. He’s a great teacher and understands how to connect with his players to help maximize their potential. Jerry is an even better person. His dignity, class and ability to develop everlasting relationships will be invaluable for the Kennesaw State community.”
Congrats Coach Mack!
