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The Kennesaw State football program parted ways with head coach Brian Bohannon midway through the 2024 season. That move made headlines for a number of different reasons.
Firstly, Bohannon had been employed by the school since the football team’s inception. In 2013, Kennesaw State approved the creation of a squad. The Owls played their first game in 2015 as a member of the FCS with Bohannon at the helm.
He made an immediate impact, posting winning records in each of his first seven campaigns. That included three conference championships in the Big South and a pair of Top 10 national finishes.
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The 2024 season represented the program’s first at the FBS level after accepting an invite to play in Conference USA. As is the case with most transitioning football teams, the debut has been a struggle.
KSU is just 1-8 this year as it adjusts to the uptick in competition. They started 0-6 before pulling off a major upset against Liberty that led to fans rushing the field not once, but twice!
One would think some grace would be given to any coach moving from the FCS to FBS, let alone one that’s been with the program from the start. That wasn’t the case for Brian Bohannon.
Reports quickly surfaced of a split between school and head coach. Kennesaw State implied that Bohannon resigned. He later took to social media to set the record straight!
“Coach Brian Bohannon informed me this morning that he has decided to step down as our head football coach,” a statement from KSU AD Milton Overton read. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to Coach Bohannon and his family for their dedication to Kennesaw State University and our football program over the past 11 years.”
Bohannon denied the resignation, clarifying that he was fired after news of the breakup went public!
This morning I was informed directly from AD Overton that he was making a change in leadership. Contrary to what’s been reported, I want to be clear that I did not step down from my position as head football coach at Kennesaw State University.
Since we started the football…
— Brian Bohannon (@BohannonBrian) November 11, 2024
Brian Bohannon’s son, Braden, is now following him out the door.
The redshirt sophomore signal caller is reportedly entering the transfer portal at season’s end. While he’s played sparingly in his three seasons on campus, it certainly makes a statement about the family’s unhappiness.
Gods plan🖤 pic.twitter.com/gZJS2CxpS8
— Braden Bohannon (@bradenbo10) November 14, 2024
Braden Bohannon appeared in one game this season, completing 5-of-10 passes for 51 yards. The Owls lost that game, 14-5.
Bohannon likely saw the writing on the wall in terms of playing time. He’s one of six passers on the 2024-25 roster, including current starter Davis Bryson who still has two more years of eligibility. The confusing firing of his head coach father only gave him more reason to leave.