The newest constituent of the FBS ranks, the Kennesaw State Owls are now members of Conference USA, embarking on a two-year transitional period with no postseason play or conference accolades until 2026.
Brian Bohannon remains at the helm at Kennesaw State, coming up on his 10th season guiding the Owls. Who else is on the Kennesaw State Owls’ coaching staff in 2024?
Kennesaw State Owls’ Coaching Staff 2024
Head Coach, Brian Bohannon
A native of Macon, Georgia, Brian Bohannon played receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs (1990-93) before embarking on a coaching career. He coached the receivers at Gardner-Webb (1996), Georgia Southern (1997-99, switched to DB coach, 2000-01), and Navy (2002-07), before taking on a role as the quarterbacks coach at Georgia Tech (2008-12).
A lot of coaches say they’ve built their program “from the ground up,” but few truly mean it like Bohannon does. He was hired in 2013 to be the coach of a then-non-existent Kennesaw State football program for his first head coaching job, tasked with preparing a team from scratch that would be ready to play by 2015.
Bohannon answered the call quickly, guiding the Owls to a respectable 6-5 record during the program’s inaugural season in 2015. It would be the first of seven consecutive winning seasons for Kennesaw State as the Owls swooped onto the FCS scene.
Kennesaw State went 63-18 from 2015-21, winning three Big South Conference titles in 2017, 2018, and the Owls’ last season in the conference in 2021. Bohannon was named Big South Conference Coach of the Year twice in that time (2017 and 2018), and was named AFCA FCS National Coach of the Year in 2017 following a 12-2 campaign.
After a hot start and accepting an invitation to join the FBS in CUSA, things have cooled off the last two seasons for Kennesaw State, with a 5-6 record in the ASUN Conference in 2022, and a 3-6 record as independents in 2023.
Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach, Greg Harris
Entering his fifth season with the Owls, Greg Harris was elevated to defensive coordinator this offseason after spending his first four years as linebackers coach, replacing Nathan Burton, who left to be the DC at Troy.
It is his second defensive coordinator stint after serving in that capacity for two years at Virginia Miltary Institute (2013-14) and five years at North Greenville University (2015-19).
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, Chandler Burks
One of the most decorated players in Kennesaw State’s history, Chandler Burks joined his old head coach’s staff following four years behind center for the Owls (2015-18). He threw for 3,683 yards and 33 touchdowns but was a true threat on the ground with 2,813 career rushing yards and 56 scores, including a whopping 29 in 2018.
Burks spent the 2019 season as a defensive quality control coach at Wofford before teaming up again with Bohannon as quarterbacks coach in 2020. He was promoted to co-OC along with his quarterback coach duties this offseason.
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach, Stewart Cook
A member of the inaugural Owls’ coaching staff, Stewart Cook spent his first nine seasons as tight ends coach before adding co-offensive coordinator to his title this offseason.
Before joining Kennesaw State, Cook played at Western Georgia (2008-11) before starting his coaching career there as tight ends coach (2012) and defensive line coach (2013).
Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach, Ossie Buchannon
Ossie Buchannon is entering his eighth season coaching the receivers at Kennesaw State and his third as special teams coordinator.
A former wide receiver at Samford (2001-05), he started his coaching career at the University of the South as defensive backs coach (2009-12) before moving on to Berry College as wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator (2013-2016).
Inside Linebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Liam Klein
A member of the Owls’ staff since the program’s inception, Liam Klein enters his 10th season as a member of the Kennesaw State coaching staff in 2024. After coaching the defensive line his first 10 seasons, this is his first season coaching inside linebackers.
Klein spent 10 seasons at Georgia Tech (2003-12) as an off-the-field coach, serving his final seven as director of player personnel.
Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator, Cameron Norcross
Cameron Norcross, a 20-year veteran Division I coach, enters his first season on staff with the Owls.
Norcross played at Nevada (1997-99) before starting his coaching career there, first as a GA (2001-02), then tight ends/co-OL coach (2003-09) and OL coach/run game coordinator (2010-11). He then coached the OL at Fresno State (2012-15), Vanderbilt (2016-19), and UNLV (2020-21).
Running Backs Coach, Tim Glanton
Tim Glanton enters his 10th season coaching the running backs under Bohannon at Kennesaw State. After playing at West Georgia (1985-90), he went on to coach at various high schools before being hired by the Owls.
Defensive Line Coach, Mike Pelton
Mike Pelton enters his first season in charge of the DL for Kennesaw State. A former standout at Auburn (1990-94), he’s had stops as DL coach at Troy (2001-06), Iowa State (2007-08), Vanderbilt (2010), Auburn (2011-12), and Georgia Tech (2013-17).
Defensive Backs Coach/Corners, Ray Smith
After seven seasons at SEMO (2017-2023) as defensive pass game coordinator, Ray Smith is in his first season with the Owls. Prior to SEMO, he spent two seasons as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Southwest Baptist.
Defensive Backs Coach/Safeties, Jireh Wilson
Jireh Wilson is also new to Kennesaw State. He joined the Owls after one season as DC and safeties coach at North Greenville University. He started his coaching career at North Greenville as a GA in 2020 before a stint as the co-special teams coordinator.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!