By: Joseph Hovey
KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State women's basketball head coach Tianni Kelly announced the completion of her staff on Tuesday, welcoming four coaches who will join the program for the 2026-27 season.
Ahead of her inaugural season as head coach of the Owls, Kelly has hired Jon Bollier as associate head coach, with Michelle Holmes, Mason Samlow and Brooklyn Pannell as assistant coaches.
Holmes will serve as the program's recruiting coordinator with Samlow assisting in those duties. Pannell will serve as the Owls' Director of Player Development.
Jon Bollier | Associate Head Coach
Bollier brings 13 years of Division I collegiate assistant coaching experience to KSU, including seven years in the state of Georgia.
"We are excited to add Jon as our Associate Head Coach and bring his wealth of experience to our program," Kelly said. "Having worked alongside some of the game's most respected coaches at a variety of institutions, combined with his outstanding basketball IQ and deep connections throughout Georgia, Jon will play a vital role in the continued growth of our program."
Under Bollier's tutelage, players have garnered a variety of awards, including conference Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, two Freshmen of the Year and Conference Tournament MVP. Bollier's players have also tallied a combined 15 all-conference honors.
Bollier joins KSU after four seasons as an assistant at Georgia State (2022-26). While coaching the Panthers, Bollier guided guard Crystal Henderson to All-Sun Belt Third Team (2025-26) and Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors (2023-24). Bollier's time in Atlanta also saw guard Mikyla Tolivert earn a pair of third-team honors (2023-24, 2024-25) while forward Mahogany Matthews won Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year (2024-25).
Before arriving at Georgia State, Bollier spent three seasons on staff at Samford (2019-22), including one as associate head coach (2021-22).
In his first season with the Bulldogs in 2019-20, Bollier helped the program bounce back from a 10-win season and clinch an NCAA Tournament automatic bid with SoCon Regular-Season and Tournament titles. Bollier's Bulldogs repeated as SoCon Regular-Season Champions in 2020-21 and secured a WNIT appearance.
While coaching at Samford, Bollier helped center Andrea Cournoyer to SoCon Player of the Year (2020-21), All-SoCon First Team (2020-21, 2021-22) and SoCon All-Defensive Team (2021-22). Center Sussy Ngulefac won SoCon Freshman of the Year in Bollier's final season on staff (2021-22), while center Natalie Armstrong garnered consecutive All-SoCon First Team honors (2019-20, 2020-21) and conference tournament MVP in 2019-20.
Bollier's first coaching stint in the state of Georgia came from 2015 to 2018 in Athens, as he helped the Lady Bulldogs to two NCAA Tournament runs (2015-16, 2017-18) while serving as Director of Player Personnel.
Before Georgia, Bollier got his start as an assistant coach during two seasons at Belmont (2013-15). While coaching in Nashville, Bollier helped Bruin guards Jordyn Luffman and Taylor Mills to All-Ohio Valley First Team and OVC All-Newcomer Team, respectively (2013-14).
Following a collegiate playing career at Gardner-Webb and Covenant College (Lookout Mountain, Ga.), Bollier took his first steps into coaching as a student manager (2009-10) and operations coordinator (2010-13) at Georgia.
Bollier's education includes a bachelor's degree in sociology from Piedmont College (Athens, Ga.; 2009) and a master's in legal studies from Samford (2022).
A native of Leo, Indiana, Bollier is married to the former Libby Lukens. They are the parents of four children.
Michelle Holmes | Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Holmes comes to KSU after four seasons as an assistant coach at UAlbany and American.
"We are thrilled to add Michelle to our coaching staff and have her serve as our Recruiting Coordinator," Kelly said. "As a former All-Conference post player at American who has gone on to develop multiple all-conference post players of her own, Michelle brings tremendous basketball knowledge, a passion for player development, and an exceptional ability to build meaningful relationships with our student-athletes."
While coaching at UAlbany during the 2025-26 season, Holmes mentored Great Dane forward Amaya Stewart to America East Sixth Player and Rookie of the Year honors. Stewart averaged 12.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while leading America East freshmen with six 20-point performances.
Holmes oversaw the on-court development of the Eagle frontcourt while an assistant at American (2022-25). With Holmes' help, Eagle forwards Cecilia Kay and Emily Johns earned Patriot League All-Rookie Team (2024-25) and Second Team All-Patriot League (2022-23, 2023-24), respectively.
Holmes also contributed to the American program off the court, coordinating team community service and alumni events, and serving as team housing and academic services liaison.
As a player at American (2012-16), Holmes appeared in 90 games and earned an All-Patriot League Third Team nod in 2014-15. During her junior season in Washington, D.C., Holmes averaged 10.7 points and 6.7 rebounds while helping her team win the Patriot League Tournament Championship and claim an NCAA Tournament bid. As a sophomore in 2013-14, Holmes set the Eagle record for single-season field goal percentage at .643. With a career field goal percentage of .535, Holmes ranks third all-time at AU in career field goal percentage.
Holmes hails from Toledo, Ohio, and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from American (2016) while minoring in public health.
Mason Samlow | Assistant Coach/Assistant Recruiting Coordinator
Following six seasons as an assistant coach at the Division II and NAIA levels, Samlow arrives in Kennesaw to reunite with Kelly.
"I'm so excited to be able to work with Mason again," Kelly said. "His experience coaching at multiple levels of college basketball, extensive recruiting network, and exceptional basketball IQ make him a tremendous addition who will have an immediate impact on both player development and our recruiting efforts."
Samlow previously coached under Kelly's leadership while an assistant at Charleston (WV) during the 2023-24 season. With the help of Samlow and Kelly, Golden Eagle forward Clarrissa Francis earned All-Mountain East Conference First Team honors while guards Taylor Austin and Nia Vanzant were named Honorable Mention All-MEC.
Most recently, Samlow served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio (2025-26) and as an assistant at West Virginia State (2024-25). Samlow's season at West Virginia State included his coaching of forward Emyah Fortenberry and guard Shanley Woods to All-MEC honors.
Another All-MEC performer came under Samlow's guidance when guard Dream Cherry earned the league's recognition at Davis & Elkins (Elkins, W.Va.) in 2021-22.
Samlow's time coaching at Georgetown College (Georgetown, Ky.; 2022-23) and Shawnee State (Portsmouth, Ohio; 2020-21) included runs to the Mid-South Semifinals and NAIA Tournament with both programs.
Samlow studied sport administration at the University of Houston and began his coaching career as an assistant video coordinator with the Cougars (2018-20).
Brooklyn Pannell | Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development
A former player of Kelly's, Pannell, comes to KSU after two seasons as an assistant coach at Palm Beach Atlantic and three seasons of professional basketball in Europe.
"Having coached Brooklyn during her collegiate career, I have seen firsthand her work ethic, leadership, and passion for the game," Kelly said. "As a Division II All-American and former professional player overseas, she brings tremendous experience and knowledge to our program. Her ability to develop players on and off the court will be invaluable to our success."
Pannell averaged 14 points per game during her Charleston (WV) playing days (2017-21) and remains ranked in the top 10 all-time in the program's career scoring standings with 1,538 points. A two-time MEC All-Tournament performer, Pannell blossomed under Kelly's coaching in 2020-21, averaging 23.3 points and earning Division II First Team All-America honors, Region MVP and MEC Women's Athlete of the Year.
Pannell converted her collegiate success into a professional career in Europe, where she averaged 18.9 points per game over three seasons with Valur (Reykjavik, Iceland), Breidablik (Neskaupstadur, Iceland), Marbo Basket (Kinna, Sweden) and the Nottingham Wildcats (Nottingham, England).
While with the Wildcats in 2021-22, Pannell earned Women's British Basketball League All-Defensive Team honors and three league Player of the Week awards.
Following her playing career, Pannell coached at Division II Palm Beach Atlantic during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. Pannell guided two Sailfish players to postseason honors with guards Anabel Ellison and Kash Auyso named All-Sunshine State Conference Second Team in 2024-25 and 2025-26, respectively. Ellison also garnered All-SSC Defensive Team honors in 2024-25.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Pannell holds a degree in exercise science from the University of Charleston (2021).
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
