Kennesaw State did not go far to fill its offensive coordinator vacancy, promoting assistants Chandler Burks and Stewart Cook to share the duties.
The duo’s promotions were announced Tuesday, Feb. 6. They will fill the vacancy left after Chris Klenakis left following one season to become the offensive line coach at Vanderbilt.
Burks spent the last four years as Kennesaw State’s quarterbacks coach after decorated playing career with the Owls, 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,” coach Brian Bohannon said in a release. “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.”
Burks, the first player to commit to and sign with the fledgling Kennesaw State program out of South Paulding High School, ran for 2,813 yards and 56 touchdowns in his career, while throwing for 3,638 yards and 33 touchdowns. He was a two-time Big South Conference Player of the Year and the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award in 2018 as the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
With Burks and Cook on staff for the last four seasons, the Kennesaw State offense has averaged 29.0 points and 243.6 rushing yards per game. Together, the duo has been involved in 39 of Kennesaw State’s 44 all-time wins at Fifth Third Stadium.
Every Kennesaw State passing or quarterback rushing record was either set by Burks, a teammate of his who benefited from his leadership or played under his guidance.
“I am beyond grateful to coach Bohannon and (athletic director) Milton Overton for believing in me and allowing me this opportunity,” Burks said.
Cook is one of three assistants who remain from Bohannon’s inaugural staff, along with inside linebackers coach Liam Klein and running backs coach Tim Glanton.
“I’m incredibly excited and thankful for the opportunity to play a role in coordinating the offense,” said Cook, a West Georgia four-year letter-winner 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.
“Kennesaw State University is very special to me,” Burks said. “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!”
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