Coastal Carolina Names Ryan Beard as New Head Football Coach

Coastal Carolina football has turned the page following the 2025 season, moving on from Tim Beck and naming Ryan Beard as the program’s fourth-ever head coach, CBS Sports reported. Beard, 36, arrives from Missouri State, where he guided the Bears to success in his first year leading the program at the FBS level.

Beard’s Missouri State team went 7-3 against non-Power Four opponents this season, showcasing his ability to quickly build a winning program. Coastal Carolina fans will be hopeful that his early success can translate to a program that has flirted with Sun Belt prominence in recent years.

The new hire represents a marked departure from Beck’s offensive-focused tenure. Beard brings a defensive-minded perspective to the famed teal turf, a shift many believe could stabilize and elevate the Chanticleers’ on-field performance.

His track record suggests he can help reinvigorate a program that posted a 20-18 record under Beck, including the departure of star quarterback Grayson McCall to the transfer portal. Coastal Carolina will be looking to regain the consistency and excitement of the Jamey Chadwell era, when the team notched two 11-win campaigns.

1. Beard’s Coaching Background

Before taking the Missouri State head coaching role, Beard spent several years honing his defensive expertise at both the FCS and FBS levels. From 2020 to 2022, he served as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Missouri State, shaping a unit known for disciplined play and consistent performance. He also has experience coaching defensive backs at Western Kentucky, and earlier stints at Louisville (2017–2018) and Central Michigan (2019) gave him exposure to FBS competition. This blend of FBS and FCS experience has prepared him to manage a Sun Belt program effectively. Beard’s first season as Missouri State’s head coach saw the Bears go 4-7, but he quickly turned the program around, achieving back-to-back winning seasons, including a 7-5 mark this season and a 5-3 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. His success in building a competitive team in a short timeframe demonstrates Beard’s ability to implement systems effectively and develop talent—qualities Coastal Carolina hopes will translate to Conway.

2. Rebuilding Coastal Carolina

Beard inherits a Chanticleers program that has experienced mixed results in recent seasons. Under Tim Beck, Coastal Carolina finished 20-18, but lost key contributors, including quarterback Grayson McCall, creating an opportunity for a fresh start. Fans will be looking to Beard to restore the energy and winning culture established under Jamey Chadwell, who guided the program to two 11-win seasons and positioned Coastal Carolina as a Sun Belt contender. His defensive acumen will likely influence recruiting priorities, game planning, and player development, with an emphasis on creating a balanced team capable of competing at a high level within the conference. The program faces the challenge of maintaining continuity while embracing new systems and philosophies, and Beard’s experience building programs from the ground up will be key to ensuring a smooth transition.

3. Looking Ahead for the Chanticleers

Beard’s arrival signals the start of a new era for Coastal Carolina football, one focused on defensive discipline, player development, and sustained competitiveness in the Sun Belt. The next few months will be critical for assembling a staff, securing recruits, and implementing schemes that align with his vision for the program. Beard’s ability to translate his Missouri State success to Conway will define the program’s trajectory in 2026 and beyond. Coastal Carolina fans will hope Beard can combine his defensive expertise with strategic recruiting to replicate the high-water marks of the Chadwell era, bringing stability and excitement back to the teal turf. With the program looking to regain prominence, Beard’s first year will be a key barometer of his long-term potential as head coach.