Albany State University Athletics

David Bowser was named head football coach of Albany State University on December 24, 2025. With over 20 years of experience as a collegiate coach and athletic administrator, he is recognized for his leadership and commitment to student-athlete development. Bowser has a strong history of rebuilding programs and fostering winning cultures in Division II football.

Bowser has served as the Special Assistant to the Head Football Coach, Director of Player Personnel, and Linebackers Coach at Johnson C. Smith University since July 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the program’s leadership, stepping in as head coach when needed and contributing to the football program's vision. He has been responsible for developing the linebackers and has managed administrative tasks such as budgeting, travel logistics, academic monitoring, and coordination with compliance and financial aid. Additionally, he has coordinated major events such as the Red Tails Classic and the Florida Beach Bowl, demonstrating his capability in large-scale operations.

In addition to his role as a collegiate coach, Bowser is a Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of A’Tishe Management Group, LLC, a position he has held since April 2022. Through this company, he has assisted schools, teams, and organizations with fundraising initiatives, program organization, education on NCAA eligibility, and guidance on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) matters. Bowser has also provided mentorship and advice to coaches, administrators, and prospective student-athletes. Furthermore, he has played a key role in organizing the Lawrence Coleman Memorial Golf Tournament in Raleigh, North Carolina, which is a successful annual fundraising event.

Before his tenure at Johnson C. Smith University, Bowser served as the Athletic Director at Saint Augustine’s University from July 2020 to January 2023. In this role, he was the chief administrator for the Falcons’ athletic department, overseeing 12 NCAA Division II sports and managing all aspects of departmental operations, including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, fundraising, compliance, and external relations.
Under his leadership, the athletic department experienced significant growth, including an increase in the operating budget from $1.6 million to $4.3 million, a 200 percent rise in season ticket sales, and notable advances in diversity and inclusion initiatives. Bowser also guided the department through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing testing protocols and ensuring continuity of operations while enhancing governance through updated handbooks and policies.

While serving as the athletic director, Bowser also held the position of Head Football Coach at Saint Augustine’s University from November 2019 until July 2023. In this dual role, he completely overhauled the football program, increasing the roster from 37 to 138 student-athletes within just one year. He prioritized academic excellence, raising the team's GPA from 2.3 to 2.87 in his first semester. Additionally, he led successful fundraising campaigns that generated nearly $37,000 for the program. Bowser was responsible for recruiting and developing a diverse coaching staff, managing all aspects of football operations, and establishing a foundation for long-term program sustainability.

Before his time at Saint Augustine's, Bowser spent nearly two decades at Fayetteville State University, where he served as Assistant Head Football Coach and Linebackers Coach from January 2000 to November 2019. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in one of the most successful periods in the program's history, coaching six CIAA Southern Division Championship teams and participating in six CIAA Conference Championship games, ultimately helping guide the Broncos to three conference titles. Bowser was also instrumental in mentoring student-athletes, five of whom he personally recruited and coached before they advanced to careers in the NFL. His responsibilities extended beyond coaching to include budgeting, recruiting coordination, compliance, equipment management, and alumni and community engagement.
 
Bowser began his collegiate coaching career at Hampden-Sydney College during the 1999 season, where he served as a defensive backs coach. In this role, he assisted with recruiting, player development, strength and conditioning oversight, and day-to-day football operations, gaining valuable early experience that would shape his long-term career in college athletics.

A native of Charlotte and a standout student-athlete, he earned his bachelor's degree in History from North Carolina State University. Bowser played as a defensive back for North Carolina State from 1988 to 1992 under head coach Dick Sheridan. During his playing career, he participated in four bowl games, including the Peach Bowl, Copper Bowl, and All-American Bowl. He later went on to obtain a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.