The planning stages started in 2007 with a Student Government survey but really kicked up in 2009 with an exploratory committee. After a long time in the making, the school with the third largest enrollment in the state of Georgia is about to field its first football team.
In February of 2013, the Kennesaw State Owls announced official plans to start a football program. Shortly thereafter, they hired Brian Bohannon as their first head coach. After working behind the scenes, Bohannon was able to sign his first recruiting class last year and held tryouts to fill the roster. In the fall of 2014, the team held its first contact practice.
2015 has seen the Owls inch closer to the first football game in school history. In February, they inked their second recruiting class, which included transfers from Kent State, Middle Tennessee State and UAB, as well as six JUCO players. As of now, the Owls have 45 players under scholarship with 92 total players on their roster. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, they have been allocated 52 scholarships for now, although the FCS allows 63 (compare this to the 85 scholarship limit at the FBS level).
Kennesaw State will begin play in 2015 as a member of the FCS Big South Conference, which includes Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina (which reached the FCS quarterfinals last year before falling to eventual champion North Dakota State by seven points) and Liberty (second round of the FCS Playoffs last year before losing to Villanova).
Every program-building moment for Kennesaw State is a first-ever moment. Today — Monday, March 2 — marks another such occasion for the Owls: their first spring practice. After 14 practices, the Owls will then compete in their first-ever “Black and Gold Game” on Saturday, March 28, on their home field at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
This spring is about seeing what type of depth the Owls have; installing their offense, defense and special teams; and creating a mentality for their football team.
If you look at Bohannon’s resume, it’s easy to see what type of offense he will be running at KSU. Bohannon played at Georgia, but he coached at Georgia Southern, Navy and Georgia Tech, mostly on the offensive side of the football. When they hit the field running, the Owls will use an option attack. Bohannon clearly feels comfortable with the personnel that will run his attack — he didn’t sign any quarterbacks during this recruiting period.
Since taking the job in 2013, much of Bohannon’s work has been done behind the scenes. As the Owls break for their first spring practice, it has to be a great feeling for him and his coaching staff as the end (or the beginning as it is) is finally in sight.
Monday marks the beginning of a new era for football at Kennesaw State. As a college football fan, it’s exciting to watch a new team created from scratch. In 185 days, the Owls will play their first-ever college football game as they travel to take on East Tennessee State. The next week, they return home on September 12 for their home opener against Edward Waters (a NAIA school).
Keep an eye on the Owls of Kennesaw State. They might be “just” a FCS school playing in “just” their first year, but we get to see the start of their history with our own eyes. For a college football fan, that’s not something that comes along too often. Win or lose in 2015, the Owls will be one of the most intriguing stories in college football.
Spring practice is underway! Are you as excited as we are? #WinTheDay pic.twitter.com/LnaZrhs9nd
— Kennesaw State Football (@kennesawstfb) March 2, 2015
