KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 28, 2025

A common thread runs through Jerry Mack’s comments when he discusses his new role as Kennesaw State University’s head football coach.

Whether he is talking about his vision for KSU football, the appeal of coaching the Owls, or the importance of community support, Mack typically comes back to one subject – people.

“Everything in my life has been about making decisions based off the people that you interact with,” said Mack, who was hired in December as the second head football coach in KSU history.

Mack admittedly didn’t know much about Kennesaw State when he was contacted about the head coaching position. However, he quickly felt at home during the interview process as he met with President Kathy S. Schwaig, Director of Athletics Milton Overton, and KSU alumni.

“I saw that a strong foundation and some great traditions already were in place, and I was really excited about the chance to build on that and help take Kennesaw State football into its next chapter,” Mack said. “What impressed me most, though, is how committed the people here are to the success of this program. That made the opportunity even more exciting.”

Mack has continued to see the campus community’s commitment to KSU football. Believing that enthusiasm for the Owls begins on campus, Mack and his assistant coaches have been intentional in connecting with units such as the Division of Student Affairs, Admissions, Housing and Residence Life, University Dining, and Campus Services to promote the football program.

“We have been very appreciative of all the support that our on-campus partners have given us since we got here in January,” Mack said. “We want everybody to be invested in our program. That’s the only way we’re going to really have success.”

That extends to the larger community beyond campus. Mack considers community support to be more important now than ever as Kennesaw State embarks on its second season in Conference USA and college football’s highest level of competition, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Along with the exposure Kennesaw State gains from some of the Owls’ CUSA games being nationally televised, having an engaged fanbase is another component in raising KSU’s profile.

“When the football team has success, everybody in the surrounding area benefits,” he said. “We want the community to think of KSU football as their team. As kids grow up seeing the Kennesaw State brand and they become good football players, they see us as an option.”

Mack brings two decades of coaching experience to Kennesaw State, including at high levels such as the National Football League and the Southeastern Conference. His most recent stints were one season as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ running backs coach preceded by three seasons as the running backs coach at the University of Tennessee.

Mack also has served as the head coach at North Carolina Central, offensive coordinator at Rice and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and as an assistant at South Alabama, Memphis, Central Arkansas, Jackson State, and Delta State. His career highlights include guiding North Carolina Central to three consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships (2014-16) and helping the 2022 Tennessee team achieve the program’s first 11-win season in 21 years.

“Coach Mack’s values and professional qualifications align with the strategic direction of our football program,” 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.”

As he builds relationships and partnerships on and off campus, Mack is aware of a reality for any coach – fans want to see an exciting product on the field. The offenses he coached at Tennessee were among the most potent in the country, including the Volunteers’ leading the nation in points scored per game (44.5) in 2022.

Mack will operate a similar style of up-tempo offense at KSU. The Owls’ offense will “take advantage of the entire length and the width of the field” while utilizing varied formations and snapping the ball quickly to run as many plays as possible during a game, he said.

“In FBS, the game is faster, the players are bigger, and I think that’s what fans are going to see as we continue to grow our program,” he said. “Year 1 of the Mack era won’t look like Year 3 of the Mack era, just for the simple fact that you have to continue to grow and build your program.”

Meanwhile, Mack will continue to recruit players with the size, speed, and talent to enable Kennesaw State to compete in FBS. Mack looks for the Owls to take a step up from their inaugural FBS season that generated two wins, highlighted by a memorable 27-24 victory at Fifth Third Stadium over previously unbeaten Liberty.

“I like to refer to it as a basketball-on-grass kind of mindset,” Mack said of the offense’s fast pace. “All those things – the different formations, the ball being passed downfield, guys making explosive plays – are going to be exciting to see when you come to the games.”

– Story by Paul Floeckher

Photo by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.