How a flawed student survey launched a championship football dynasty
In short: In 2007, a technical glitch allowed students to vote infinitely on a football program. Despite the design flaw, the momentum was unstoppable. From a 2015 debut to a 2025 Conference USA title, the Kennesaw State Owls have become one of college football's most successful startups.
The path to the gridiron began with a controversial survey on November 9, 2007. While intended for enrolled students, a design flaw allowed unlimited entries, yet 77.6 percent of respondents still voted in favor of a new program. This momentum led President Daniel S. Papp to appoint a committee led by legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley, whose 137-page report in 2010 recommended the program's creation.
After receiving approval from the State Board of Regents in February 2013, the Owls officially began play in 2015. Under inaugural head coach Brian Bohannon, the program experienced a meteoric rise. By their fourth year, they secured the 2017 Big South Championship. The 2018 season saw an even more dominant run, featuring an 11-game winning streak and a regular-season record of 10–1, finishing as high as number two in the FCS polls.
The program's trajectory has been defined by rapid upward mobility. After competing in the Big South and the Atlantic Sun, the Owls accepted an invitation to join the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in Conference USA (CUSA) for the 2024 season. This transition was punctuated by a landmark 2025 season under first-year coach Jerry Mack, where the Owls earned their first-ever CUSA Championship game appearance, defeating the defending champion Jacksonville State 19–15 to claim the title.
Beyond championships, the program has produced notable talent, including Travis Bell, the first player selected in the NFL draft in 2023, and Bron Breakker, who transitioned from the Owls to becoming a two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kennesaw State Owls football
- Also: www.kennesaw.edu — Athletics - Kennesaw State University
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