The Kennesaw State Department of Athletics announced yesterday that former quarterback Chandler Burks joined the football team’s staff as an Assistant Coach for the upcoming 2020 season.
Burks will be replacing longtime quarterbacks coach Cody Worley, who had been on staff since the program’s inaugural season in 2015. After Burks finished his final season as a player for KSU in 2018, he joined the coaching staff at Wofford where he served one season as a defensive quality control coach.
“I am excited to welcome Chandler Burks back to our program to lead our quarterbacks,” head coach Brian Bohannon said. “Chandler is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen, and his knowledge of the game is off the charts.
Burks was the first verbally committed player for the KSU football program during its developmental stage in 2013, according to KSU Athletics. Over the course of his career, Burks led the Owls to consecutive Big South Conference titles and two appearances in the FCS playoffs.
He finished his KSU career with 56 rushing touchdowns, 33 passing touchdowns and nearly 6,500 total yards. In 2018, his 29 rushing touchdowns both led the FCS that season and set the FCS single-season record for rushing scores by a quarterback, according to KSU Athletics.
Burks first earned the starting quarterback role early in his redshirt sophomore season in 2016. After then-starting quarterback Trey White picked up an injury during the team’s season-opening game against East Tennessee, Burks took over starting duties for the next game.
After rushing for 138 yards and leading KSU to a 49-3 win in his first career start, Burks would cement his place as the leader of the team with his consistently productive performances. With Burks as starting quarterback, the team accumulated a 31-6 record over the course of three seasons.
As a result of his skill and leadership, Burks received numerous awards during his collegiate career. He earned the Big South Offensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards in each of his last two seasons with the Owls, according to KSU Athletics.
During his senior season, Burks finished as runner-up for the Walter Payton Award — the award given to the top offensive player in the FCS.
Burks will now join fellow former KSU player Jake McKenzie as part of the coaching staff.
