KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 12, 2025

Fall semester has been nothing short of amazing on the field and in the classroom for Kennesaw State University Owls running back Coleman Bennett.

On the field he posted more than 1,000 total yards from scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns, to help drive the Owls to the Conference USA championship and the program’s first postseason bowl. In the classroom he was named to the Conference USA Football All-Academic Team. Now he will wrap up the semester graduating with his Master of Public Administration (MPA) on Dec. 16 with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Bennett joined KSU in January of this year, transferring from Rice University, to finish his MPA studies at the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences, describing KSU as “the best place to spend my last year, academically and athletically.” He found public administration was a perfect fit as he enjoyed working with people and wanted to use his leadership skills to make an impact.

“My mom has a master’s degree, and both of my older brothers do too, so earning mine was important to me,” Bennett said. “The MPA opened my eyes to the impact you can make when you understand policy, administration, and how to work with others. It also gave me a better understanding of the kind of leader I want to be.”

The third of four brothers who also play football, Bennett grew up with a passion for the game in Tamarac, Florida, and he did not have to look too far for inspiration. His father, Donnell Bennett Jr, played in the National Football League for seven years as a fullback with the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by another year with the Washington Commanders.

“I started playing football when I was 9,” Bennett said. “My dad had a big influence on me, and my mom was very into football, too. When I was younger watching my dad play, I’d say, ‘That’s going to be me one day’.”

Bennett’s final semester at KSU has been equally rewarding as it has been busy, on and off the field. Even with the demands of late-night training, weekday games and travel for away games, Bennett maintained an immaculate 4.0 GPA which earned him a place on the 2025 Conference USA Football All-Academic Team, an honor recognizing student-athletes who excel both in competition and in the classroom.

“I’ve learned a lot about time management,” Bennett said. “I plan ahead, keep track of my due dates, and stay in communication with my professors and coaches. You can’t procrastinate when you’re trying to balance academics and athletics.”

One of the highlights of his KSU experience was studying abroad in Geneva, Switzerland this May – his first time in Europe. There he had the opportunity to see public administration in action across different cultural and governmental systems. He also completed a capstone project with the City of Woodstock, examining the city’s current property tax rate and its impact on homeowners.

On the field, Bennett had an electrifying season with the Owls winning 10 of 13 games and making history by qualifying for the first bowl game. Then they topped it off by beating Jacksonville State to win the 2025 Conference USA championship. Bennett has been their leading rusher this season, with 716 yards and four rushing touchdowns.

“It was just pure joy and excitement,” he said, recalling the moment the team defeated University of Texas at El Paso in front of a home crowd to become bowl-eligible. “I think a lot of people were very excited and happy that we're able to go out there and get a win and do something very big for the university, for our families, for our team, because you know, everybody's playing for something more than themselves.”

Owls head coach Jerry Mack, who was recently named Conference USA’s Coach of the Year, commended Bennett for his grit and determination both on and off the field.

“I can’t say enough great things about Coleman,” Mack said. “When he arrived here, it was very obvious that academics was at the forefront of his decision to choose Kennesaw State. Football was a part of it, but his attention to detail, his commitment to excellence, has made it a joy to work with a player and a student-athlete that really keeps the main thing, the main thing.”

“He means a lot to our program and he has really helped us build a foundation for us to have a tradition of winning here at Kennesaw State,” he added.

 Bennett credits his success to the guiding principles his family lives by, their “three Fs,” – faith, family, and football.

“Nothing in life is handed to you,” he added. “My parents always made sure I understood that everything is earned. My journey wasn’t easy, but it shaped me. And getting to this level doesn’t guarantee you’ll stay here. You have to work for everything.”

After graduation, Bennett will join the Owls for their upcoming Myrtle Beach Bowl game against Western Michigan before shifting his focus to the NFL draft and exploring opportunities at the professional level, all while keeping long-term goals in mind.

“My dad always says the NFL stands for ‘not for long’,” Bennett said. “So, I’m preparing for football but also thinking about career opportunities beyond the game.”

– Story by Christin Senior

Photos by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 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.