​Coastal Carolina isn’t starting from scratch, but this season isn’t about lamenting past missteps. It’s the tenth year of the program’s FBS era, and expectations have already surged. Jamey Chadwell departed for Liberty after guiding the Chanticleers to 31 wins across three seasons. Tim Beck stepped in and performed adequately, yet “adequate” won’t cut it when the bar is set high by recent history. Now Ryan Beard has the task of translating the level of success he showed at Missouri State into a Coastal Carolina team that can again contend at the Sun Belt championship level.
The Chanticleers did show some life under Beck, collecting 20 wins and earning three consecutive bowl berths during his tenure. Still, the program wants to reclaim the posture it had from 2020 to 2022 when it was a player on the national stage. Head Coach: Ryan Beard (1st year at Coastal Carolina; 3rd year overall as a head coach, 19-16 overall). Best Case / Worst Case: Bowl eligibility with relative ease versus a third straight losing season. Key Player: Deuce Bailey, versatile redshirt freshman quarterback, or Trever Jackson, sophomore quarterback, each bringing different strands of potential to the offense. 2025 Record projection stands at 6-7, with the biggest question centering on how quickly the new coaching staff can elevate performance on both sides of the ball.
Onside Kicks tell a tidy story: Coastal Carolina has converted 2 of 3 onside kicks this season, while opponents have recovered 2 of 21. The odd quarter scoring paints a tougher picture: opponents lead 123 to 57 in the 21st quarter, and fumbles tell their own tale with 28 total fumbles league-wide, 11 of which were lost by the opponents, while Coastal Carolina has 28 fumbles with 10 lost. It’s a stat sheet that underscores the need for cleaner ball handling and more consistent execution.
Nick Petrino remains committed to Ryan Beard as his offensive coordinator after piloting a dynamic attack last season. The Bears ranked second in Conference USA in passing, and Coastal Carolina will be seeking a similar spark after a difficult campaign, a season that left the Chanticleer passing game 117th in the nation and the offense 116th in total yardage. This coaching staff has proven they know how to get an offense moving. It wasn’t flawless—Missouri State under Petrino had veteran pieces—but there is promise of more pop and explosiveness in the Coastal Carolina attack going forward.
The running back room looks to be a strength as fresh talent moves onto the scene. Dominic Knicely and Jevon Edwards both averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season, and the arrival of Daelen Alexander from Rice adds power to the mix. The receiving corps has been bolstered by the transfer portal: Tristan Gardner arrives from Missouri State after averaging 15.5 yards per catch with six touchdowns as a freshman, and he’s not alone. Clayton Coppock lands from Kennesaw State among several notable additions, joining holdover Karmello English from last year’s Coastal Carolina receiving corps.
The quarterback position remains open, a situation the Chanticleers navigated with three different starters last season without sustained success. The competition is wide open, but Deuce Bailey, the former Missouri State Bear working within this staff’s system, has all the time he needs to stake his claim and, in doing so, sharpen Coastal Carolina’s offensive identity. The path to a successful season will hinge on finding a quarterback who can stabilize the passing game, distribute the ball to a retooled receiving core, and allow the run game to complement the offense rather than carry the full load.
In short, the program is betting on a quick ascent under Beard, with Petrino’s continued offseason influence likely to bring a sharper, more dynamic offense. The talent is there to reclaim the level of success the Chanticleers enjoyed in recent years, but it will require disciplined execution, a more efficient passing attack, and a defense that can keep pace with a more potent offense. If Bailey or Jackson can seize the quarterback job and the receivers can develop chemistry with consistent routes and timing, Coastal Carolina could quickly transform from a hopeful squad to a genuine Sun Belt contender once again.