KSU's 1st Head Football Coach Denies Stepping Down From Post

KENNESAW, GA—Kennesaw State University's first head football coach says he did not step down from the team; rather, the decision to relieve him of his duties came from KSU's athletic program.

The events unfolded Sunday when the Division I school announced its separation from Brian Bohannon after 10 seasons. Bohannon joined KSU as head football coach in March 2013.

KSU Athletic Director Milton Overton said Bohannon told him he was stepping down from the football team, which currently has a 1-8 record, but Bohannon claimed a different narrative.

"This morning, I was informed directly from AD Overton that he was making a change in leadership. Contrary to what’s been reported, I want to be clear that I did not step down from my position as head football coach at Kennesaw State University," Bohannon tweeted.

"Since we started the football program, I have had the pleasure of coaching and working alongside so many great people. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to this program."

KSU did not provide a reason for its separation from Bohannon but said a national search for his replacement would start immediately. In the interim, co-offensive coordinator Chandler Burks will lead the team.

Bohannon is credited with laying the foundation for the KSU Owls, which is part of the Football Championship Subdivision, a subset of Division I.

University officials said he guided the team to become "one of the most successful startup teams in FCS history within just five years. His unwavering commitment to excellence helped lay the groundwork for KSU's transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision and its move this season to Conference USA."

While at KSU, Bohannon secured the following awards and honors:

• 2021 Eddie Robinson Award - Finalist (10th place)
• 2021 Big South Coach of the Year
• 2018 Eddie Robinson Award - Runner-Up
• 2018 AFCA District Coach of the Year
• 2018 Big South Coach of the Year
• 2017 Eddie Robinson Award – Finalist (3rd place)
• 2017 AFCA FCS National Coach of the Year
• 2017 Big South Coach of the Year
• 2016 Eddie Robinson Award – Finalist (8th place)

"I want to express my sincere appreciation to Coach Bohannon and his family for their dedication to Kennesaw State University and our football program over the past 11 years," Overton said in a news release. "Coach Bohannon led Kennesaw State into the football era, poured his heart and soul into this program, and represented our university with the highest standards of professionalism and character." 

The Owls have two remaining home games, one on Saturday and another on Nov. 23, at the helm of Burks.

Burks was named the 2018 FCS National Performer of the Year and was a runner-up for the Walter Payton Award. This year, he will be inducted into the KSU Athletics Hall of Fame, university officials said.