By: Michael Goss
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State head football coach
Brian Bohannon announced the promotions of
Chandler Burks and
Stewart Cook as co-offensive coordinators Tuesday morning. Burks spent the last four years as the Owls' quarterbacks coach after a successful playing career at KSU, while Cook has coached the offensive tackles and tight ends since the program's inception in 2015.
"Chandler and Stewart are two guys that have been around Kennesaw State football since the beginning," said Bohannon. "They have been a part of every historical moment our program has encountered and have been crucial in the development of the Gold Standard. I am excited to watch them evolve into their new roles as leaders of the offense."
With Burks and Cook on staff for the last four seasons, the Kennesaw State offense has averaged 29.0 points per game. The team has also averaged 243.6 rush yards per contest during that span. Together, the duo has been involved in 39 of KSU's 44 all-time wins at Fifth Third Stadium.
Both coaches have mentored student-athletes to postseason accolades at KSU. In 2021, Burks helped quarterback Xavier Shepherd receive three all-American selections while earning the Big South Offensive Player of the Year award. Last season, he tutored
Jonathan Murphy into a new offense with the program's transition from a flexbone-based option attack. In just the third game of the season, Murphy set the KSU single-game record for passing yards (309), completions (17) and pass attempts (31).
Every KSU passing or quarterback rushing record was either set by Burks, a teammate of his who benefitted from his leadership, or played under his guidance.
"First and foremost, I would like thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ," said Burks. "Without him I would not be in this position today. I am beyond grateful to Coach Bohannon and Director of Athletics Milton Overton for believing in me and allowing me this opportunity."
Cook was instrumental in the development of left tackle,
Jake Lassiter, who was a three-time All-Big South First-Team selection. Lassiter was the only offensive lineman in 2021 to start all 11 regular season games and played the most snaps of any Owl with 808.
Under his guidance, the KSU rushing attack ranked in the top three of the FCS from 2017-2022, including leading the nation in rushing yards per game in 2017 and 2019. The Owls set the program's all-time record with 352.9 yards per game on the ground in 2018, good for second in the nation among all NCAA Division I FBS and FCS team.
In the 2022 campaign, Cook guided offensive lineman Zion Katina to a Phil Steele All-ASUN selection. Katina finished his KSU career with postseason accolades in each of his final three seasons.
Cook also mentored right tackle Zach Mitchler to an Associated Press FCS third-team All-American selection after back-to-back all-Big South honors. He continued that momentum, tutoring Mitchler's replacement following graduation, Chiaza Nwadike, Jr., to first team all-Big South accolades in 2018.
"I'm incredibly excited and thankful for the opportunity to play a role in coordinating the offense
," said Cook, a West Georgia four-year letterwinner and team captain.
"I have a tremendous amount of pride and respect for the brand we have been able to establish here at Kennesaw State and I look forward to watching us grow as we embark on a new journey into Conference USA."
The two coaches also worked together in a different role from 2015-2018 when Burks was the Kennesaw State quarterback and Cook was an offensive assistant coach.
In 2018 with Burks under center, Kennesaw State had the No. 2 rushing attack in all of Division I, averaging 352.9 yards per game. The Owls also featured one of the top third-down conversion rates in the FCS (50.3 percent – 86-of-171) to finish the year as one of 11 teams in the country to convert over 50 percent of third down attempts.
"Kennesaw State University is very special to me," said Burks. "This is home. We will work tirelessly to uphold the vision and standards of the program to ensure the success of our student-athletes on and off the field!"
KSU officially becomes a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) on July 1, 2024, and will compete within Conference USA.
Click here to see KSU's full 2024 schedule.
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