At 3:39p.m. on Sunday, Kennesaw State University confirmed Jacksonville Jaguars running backs coach Jerry Mack had been hired as the next head coach of its football program.
“My family and I are extremely excited to join the Owl family,” Mack said in his initial statement. “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. 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.”
Mack, an Arkansas State alumnus, has spent this season on staff in the National Football League with Jacksonville. Prior to his time in the NFL, Mack served as the running backs coach at Tennessee and as the head coach at North Carolina Central, where he posted a 31-15 record over four seasons and captured at least a share of three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles.
Mack has been on staff as the offensive coordinator at Rice and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and as a position coach at South Alabama, Memphis, Central Arkansas and Jackson State after starting his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Delta State.
“After an extensive national search, I would like to welcome coach Jerry Mack, his wife, Starlett, and family to Owl Nation as our head football coach,” Director of Athletics Milton Overton said. “Coach Mack’s values and professional qualifications align with the strategic direction of our football program. 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.”
