Jacksonville, AL – With the Conference USA Championship approaching, Jacksonville State Head Coach Rich Rodriguez and Kennesaw State Head Coach Brian “Coach Mac” Bohannon shared insights during a joint media availability on Tuesday. Both coaches expressed appreciation for their teams, respect for their opponents, and a clear focus on preparation for Friday night’s title game in Jacksonville.
Rodriguez Praises Conference, Opponent, and Program Growth
Rodriguez opened by emphasizing the strength of Conference USA, praising Commissioner Judy McLeod, league administration, coaches, and players.
“It’s as competitive a conference as I’ve been a part of,” he said, noting that weekly matchups demand disciplined execution.
Rodriguez credited Jacksonville State’s administration, staff, and longstanding tradition of success for helping position the team for a championship opportunity. He also highlighted the role of Gamecock Nation, alumni, and the Marching Southerners in creating a powerful home-field environment.
Looking ahead to the title matchup against Kennesaw State — a rematch after their regular-season meeting — Rodriguez said previous outcomes will not dictate Friday’s game.
“At the end of the day, this game is about execution and playing the right way,” he said.
Player Updates and Key Factors
Rodriguez confirmed that running back Anwar Brock, sidelined recently by an ankle injury, is expected to play after practicing throughout the week.
He also discussed the consistent performance of running back Cam Cook, a TCU transfer, attributing Cook’s success to trust, opportunity, and the program’s run-first philosophy.
“Playing time doesn’t have an age limit, it has a maturity limit,” Rodriguez said.
On quarterback development, Rodriguez credited improved decision-making and support within the quarterback room, highlighting the leadership and versatility of Gavin Wimpsett.
“Gavin’s one of the most unselfish young men I’ve been around,” he said.
Balancing Championship Week With National Signing Day
Rodriguez acknowledged the difficulty of managing both game preparation and National Signing Day, which falls on Wednesday. He expects the program to sign roughly 25 players and praised staff efforts to maintain recruiting momentum.
Coach Mac: Kennesaw State Focused on Growth and Opportunity
Kennesaw State’s Coach Mac began by expressing pride in the program’s progress and appreciation for competing in the championship game in the program’s first Conference USA season.
“This is what it’s all about… only so many teams in the country will have that opportunity this weekend,” he said.
While his name has been mentioned in national coaching discussions, Coach Mac said his attention is fully on Friday’s matchup.
“My total focus… is really on this championship game.”
Reflecting on Team Development
Coach Mac said the team learned from its earlier narrow loss to Jacksonville State and views the rematch as a chance to correct mistakes.
“Anytime you get a second chance… you’re excited about that,” he said.
He highlighted the challenges of defending Jacksonville State’s two-quarterback system, which he described as “extremely” difficult due to its versatility and trick-play potential.
Player Growth and Run Defense
The coach praised quarterback Amari Odom’s response to earlier struggles, noting that Odom has accounted for more than a dozen touchdowns since their first meeting with Jacksonville State.
“He attacked the process… he is ready for the moment now,” Coach Mac said.
He acknowledged recent defensive struggles against the run but emphasized fundamentals—pad level, tackling technique, and disciplined play—as the path to improvement.
Program Trajectory and Community Impact
Coach Mac described Kennesaw State’s growth as a reflection of strong alignment between the coaching staff, administration, and community support.
“When you have alignment… anything can really happen,” he said.
Both coaches closed with appreciation for media engagement and reiterated their teams’ excitement for Friday night’s championship matchup in Jacksonville.
