Chennis Berry | South Carolina State

Chennis Berry was named head football coach at South Carolina State University on December 16th, 2023. The former Benedict College (Columbia, SC) head coach succeeded the iconic Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough, the winningest coach in Bulldog football history who retired as head football coach at the end of the 2023 season after 22 seasons at the helm and 151 wins.

 "Go Bulldogs," Berry said at the press conference announcing his hiring. "My family and I are super excited to be joining the SC State Bulldog family. The proud history, tradition, and commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, are the driving forces to our excitement! It's a great day to be a Bulldog."

No stranger to Historically Black College, Berry takes over at SC State after three seasons at Benedict where he amassed a 27–7 record, went undefeated in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and earned postseason berths in the Division II playoffs each of the last two seasons.

Prior to his stint at Benedict, he served seven seasons from 2013-19 as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Southern University. The Jaguars had a winning record every season and the offense under Berry’s guidance set numerous schools and SWAC conference records.

His coaching resume also includes stops at Howard University, North Carolina A&T, Morris Brown, Kentucky State and Fort Valley State. He also served internships with six different NFL teams.

While at Southern, Berry helped direct one of the most prolific offenses in the country. The Jaguars led the SWAC in rushing and ranked 13th in the nation. Southern also averaged more than 33 points per game, ranking 25th in the nation in scoring. In 2016, the Jaguars ranked fifth in the nation in scoring with 39.8 points per game and were 11th nationally in total offense. Individually, running back Lenard Tillery set the SWAC single- season rushing record and became the all-time leading runner in conference history. As an offensive line coach, Berry guided the Jaguars to no lower than 12th in the nation in sacks allowed three seasons. During his time at Southern, Berry mentored ten offensive linemen who earned All-SWAC recognition and five who garnered All-America honors.

Before joining Southern, Berry spent two seasons from 2011-12 as the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Howard University. The offensive line was key to the Bison success as Howard finished second in the MEAC with a 365.4 yards per game average. Howard was also second in the league in rushing with 221.5 yards per game. Those accomplishments led to four Howard offensive linemen earning All-MEAC honors, and the offensive line blocked for the MEAC's leading rusher.

Prior to Howard, Berry served two years from 2009-10 as the associate head coach/offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at North Carolina A&T. Berry's offense had one of the top rushing attacks in the MEAC during both his seasons with the Aggies. He also had one of his early coaching stops at N.C. A&T, serving as offensive line coach from 2003-05. Over his first two seasons with the Aggies, he served as the offensive line coach. A strong running game led the Aggies to the 2003 MEAC Championship and a NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth.

As part of the NFL's Minority Internship Program, Berry interned with six different NFL teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears. In 2009, he participated in the NCAA Expert Coaches Academy Forum. The program prepares young minority assistant coaches for head coaching positions.

Berry served as Morgan State's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 2006-2008. During Berry's time there, the Bears possessed one of the most envied running games in the MEAC. In each of his three seasons with Morgan State, the Bears' rushing offense ranked in the top 50 nationally.

Berry began his career at Morris Brown College in Atlanta in 1996 where he coached under Joe Crosby. After one season with Morris Brown, Berry became the offensive line and tight ends coach, as well as the strength and conditioning coordinator, at Kentucky State under George Small in 1997.

Behind Berry's strong offensive line at Kentucky State, Alvon Brown broke several school and national Division II records. Brown broke the single-season rushing record at KSU twice and finished his career as the school's all-time leading rusher. He also rushed for 405 yards in a game on September 16, 2000, which at the time, was a Division II single-game record. Berry's offensive line also helped Brown win the SIAC Player and Back of the Year awards on two occasions.

In 2001, Berry became the assistant head coach at Fort Valley State. He was responsible for coaching the Wildcats' offensive linemen and tight ends. His impact at FVSU was immediately felt as Philip Shiflet earned SIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and first-team Sheridan All-Americans honors in 2001.

Berry holds a master’s degree in public administration from Kentucky State University and received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Savannah State University. As a player at Savannah State, he earned First Team All-SIAC accolades at offensive tackle and was named a Black College Honorable Mention All-American in 1994. He also served as Savannah State's team captain.

Berry is married to Mrs. Ramille Berry and they have four children, Jasmin, Mia, Chennis III and Channing.