Zach Conowal was promoted to Special Teams Coordinator at Georgia State in March 2026, quickly ascending through the Panthers’ coaching ranks and establishing himself as one of the program’s top young coaching talents.
In his new role, Conowal oversees all aspects of Georgia State’s special teams units after serving as the program’s special teams analyst during the 2025 season. In that position, he assisted with the coaching of Georgia State’s special teams while supporting the daily operations of the football program.
Conowal returned to Georgia State in the spring of 2024 to work under special teams coordinator Carter Blount. During the 2024 campaign, he helped guide punter James Allen to Second Team All-Conference honors, continuing his track record of developing standout special teams performers.
Prior to his return to Atlanta, Conowal spent the spring of 2023 at Mercyhurst University, where he coached linebackers and the punt return unit. During his time with the Lakers, he helped develop linebacker Tyler Butterbaugh, who earned Second Team All-PSAC honors.
Conowal first joined Georgia State’s coaching staff during the 2020 season as a student assistant working with the Panthers’ defense. In his first season on staff, he helped Georgia State secure a victory over Western Kentucky in the LendingTree Bowl.
In July 2021, Conowal was promoted by head coach Shawn Elliott to special teams and recruiting graduate assistant at just 20 years old, making him one of the youngest graduate assistants in college football history. That season, Georgia State produced the winningest team in program history at the time, finishing 8-5 and earning a Camellia Bowl victory.
During the 2022 season, Conowal helped coach All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention specialist Michael Hayes, further establishing himself as an emerging force in special teams development.
A native of Dawsonville, Georgia, Conowal graduated from Dawson County High School in 2018. He began his collegiate studies at Georgia State’s Alpharetta campus in the fall of 2018 before transferring to Georgia State’s Atlanta campus in the spring of 2020. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Georgia State in the spring of 2022.
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Zach Conowal enters his latest season with Georgia State football as the program’s special teams analyst after steadily rising through the Panthers’ coaching ranks and building a reputation as one of the brightest young special teams coaches in college football.
Conowal was promoted to special teams analyst prior to the 2025 season, where he assists with the coaching of Georgia State’s special teams units while supporting the daily operations of the football program. His promotion marked the latest step in a coaching journey that began as a student assistant and has included responsibilities across multiple phases of the game.
Conowal returned to Georgia State in the spring of 2024 to work under special teams coordinator Carter Blount. During the 2024 campaign, he helped guide punter James Allen to Second Team All-Conference honors, continuing his track record of developing elite special teams talent.
Prior to his return to Atlanta, Conowal spent the spring of 2023 at Mercyhurst University, where he coached linebackers and the punt return unit. During his time with the Lakers, he helped develop linebacker Tyler Butterbaugh, who earned Second Team All-PSAC honors.
Conowal first joined Georgia State’s coaching staff during the 2020 season as a student assistant working with the Panthers’ defense. In his first season on staff, he was part of a Georgia State team that capped the year with a victory over Western Kentucky in the LendingTree Bowl.
In July 2021, Conowal was promoted by head coach Shawn Elliott to special teams and recruiting graduate assistant at just 20 years old, making him one of the youngest graduate assistants in college football history. That season, Georgia State produced the winningest team in program history at the time, finishing 8-5 and earning a victory in the Camellia Bowl.
During the 2022 season, Conowal helped coach All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention specialist Michael Hayes, further establishing himself as an emerging force in special teams development.
A native of Dawsonville, Georgia, Conowal graduated from Dawson County High School in 2018. He began his collegiate studies at Georgia State’s Alpharetta campus in the fall of 2018 before transferring to the university’s Atlanta campus in the spring of 2020. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Georgia State in the spring of 2022.
Despite his young age, Conowal has already built an impressive résumé highlighted by bowl victories, conference honors, and a proven ability to develop special teams talent, positioning him as an integral member of Georgia State football’s coaching staff.
