The New Era: Everything You Need To Know About Coastal Carolina Football Coaches, Including The Latest Ryan Beard Hire
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football program is entering a brand new, highly anticipated era following a significant coaching change in late 2025. The program, known for its rapid rise from FCS to a dominant force in the Sun Belt Conference, recently parted ways with head coach Tim Beck, setting the stage for the hiring of former Missouri State coach Ryan Beard. This move marks the fifth head coach in the program's history and signals a renewed focus on the winning tradition established by predecessors like Jamey Chadwell and Joe Moglia. The Chanticleers are now looking to the future under Beard to maintain their national relevance and compete for Sun Belt titles.
As of December 2025, the focus is squarely on the transition to the new leadership, which is tasked with building on the foundation laid since the program's 2003 inception. The history of Coastal Carolina football is a fascinating case study in fast-track success, driven by four distinct coaching tenures, each leaving an indelible mark on the team's identity. From the early Big South Conference championships to the recent FBS dominance, understanding the lineage of the Chanticleers' head coaches is key to appreciating the program's trajectory.
Coastal Carolina Head Football Coaches: A Complete Biographical History
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football program has been led by five official head coaches since its inaugural season in 2003. This list provides a complete profile of the men who have guided the Chanticleers from the FCS level to the competitive NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
- David Bennett (Inaugural Head Coach)
- Tenure: 2003–2011
- Overall Record: 63–39
- Legacy: Bennett was the program's first-ever head coach, establishing the foundation of the team and securing four Big South Conference championships. He is credited with building the program from scratch and setting the initial winning culture.
- Joe Moglia (The Wall Street Coach)
- Tenure: 2012–2018 (with a medical leave in 2017)
- Overall Record: 56–22
- Legacy: Moglia, a former CEO of TD Ameritrade, led the Chanticleers through their transition period from FCS to FBS. He compiled an impressive record and guided the team to five consecutive FCS playoff appearances. His unique background brought national attention to the program.
- Jamey Chadwell (The Golden Era Architect)
- Tenure: 2017 (Interim) & 2019–2022
- Overall FBS Record: 39–22
- Legacy: Chadwell is the architect of the Chanticleers' modern success, leading the team to a historic 11–1 record in 2020, which included an undefeated regular season and a Sun Belt Conference co-Championship. He was named the AP Coach of the Year and led the program to three consecutive bowl games before departing for Liberty University.
- Tim Beck (The Short Stint)
- Tenure: 2023–2025 (Fired)
- Coastal Carolina Record: 14–12 (8-5 in 2023, 6-7 in 2024)
- Legacy: Beck guided the team to a bowl victory in his first season (2023), marking the second bowl win in CCU history. However, a disappointing 2024 season led to his firing in late November 2025.
- Ryan Beard (The New Era Leader)
- Tenure: Hired late 2025 (Current Head Coach)
- Previous Role: Head Coach at Missouri State
- Legacy: Beard is the fifth head coach in program history. Hired after a successful stint at Missouri State, he is tasked with immediately returning the Chanticleers to the top of the Sun Belt Conference and the national rankings, building on the foundation of the Chadwell era.
The Jamey Chadwell Effect: How One Coach Defined the Chanticleers' Identity
The period under Jamey Chadwell is widely regarded as the "Golden Era" for Coastal Carolina football, permanently changing the program's national perception. Chadwell, who had a brief interim stint in 2017 before taking over fully in 2019, instilled a unique offensive philosophy that became the team's signature. His high-octane, triple-option-style offense, often called the "Teal Curtain" offense, was notoriously difficult for opponents to prepare for, especially within the Sun Belt Conference.
The pinnacle of this era was the remarkable 2020 season, where the Chanticleers finished the regular season undefeated, a feat that captured the attention of the entire college football world. That season included a memorable victory over BYU and a final ranking that solidified Coastal Carolina as a legitimate threat in the Group of Five. The success led to significant national media coverage, including appearances in the College Football Playoff rankings, significantly boosting the university's brand.
Chadwell's departure for Liberty University in late 2022 created a major void, one that the subsequent coaching staff struggled to fill immediately. His 39-22 FBS record and ability to consistently recruit and develop talent—including star quarterback Grayson McCall—set a high bar for all future Coastal Carolina football coaches. The legacy of the "Teal Curtain" remains the benchmark for success in Conway, South Carolina.
The Transition and the Dawn of the Ryan Beard Era (2025)
The coaching carousel spun quickly in late 2025 following the firing of Tim Beck. While Beck's 8-5 debut season in 2023 was promising, the 6-7 finish in 2024, coupled with a lack of major conference success, prompted the decision by Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Chance Miller. Defensive Coordinator Jeremiah Johnson was briefly named the Interim Head Coach, managing the team during the immediate transition period.
The university moved swiftly to hire Ryan Beard, a move that signals a commitment to recruiting and developing talent from the FCS level, much like Chadwell. Beard, a Bowling Green native, had a successful run at Missouri State and is known for his defensive acumen. He becomes the fifth official head coach and the second to take the reins after a short-lived tenure by his predecessor.
Key Staff and Entities in the Chanticleer Program
The success of any head coach relies heavily on the supporting staff. While Ryan Beard is in the process of finalizing his long-term assistants, several key figures have been central to the Chanticleers' recent operations and will be crucial to the new era:
- Jeremiah Johnson: Served as Defensive Coordinator and Interim Head Coach, a vital continuity piece in the defensive scheme.
- Drew Hollingshead: The recent Offensive Coordinator, whose system Beard will likely evaluate for continuity or overhaul.
- Grayson McCall: The former star quarterback, whose production the new staff must find a way to replace after his departure.
- Chance Miller: The Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics who made the crucial decision to hire Beard, setting the direction for the Chanticleers' future.
The mandate for Coach Beard is clear: stabilize the program, re-establish the winning culture of the Joe Moglia and Jamey Chadwell years, and consistently challenge for the Sun Belt Conference championship. His ability to recruit and retain talent in the competitive landscape of the FBS will determine the success of this new chapter for Coastal Carolina football.
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