Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team, representing Coastal Carolina University, competes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level within the Sun Belt Conference. The program, established in 2003, has rapidly evolved. Initially led by coach David Bennett, the Chanticleers have achieved remarkable successes in their brief history, defeating prominent Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams like James Madison University and securing seven Big South Conference championships.

In 2017, Coastal Carolina made the transition to FBS, earning its first FBS victory against UMass. While facing challenges in the early FBS seasons, they demonstrated promise by closing their 2017 season with a Sun Belt Conference win over Idaho and a victory against Georgia Southern. Their remarkable journey includes shared Sun Belt Conference championship honors in 2020.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Introduction

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team, representing Coastal Carolina University, competes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. As proud members of the Sun Belt Conference since 2017, they play their home games at the iconic James C. Benton Field at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. The stadium, with its distinctive teal artificial turf, seats 21,000 fans and bears the names of Coby Garrett Brooks and Boni Belle Brooks, children of Robert Brooks, a prominent figure in Hooters of America, Inc.

Guided by Head Coach Tim Beck, who took the helm after Jamey Chadwell's departure, the Chanticleers have embraced the unique mascot, the Chanticleer, a clever rooster famously featured in Chaucer's "The Nun's Priest's Tale" in The Canterbury Tales. This mascot reflects the team's proud identity, dating back to its days as the Trojans and its continued legacy as an independent university since 1993.

Coastal Carolina's football history is intertwined with spirited rivalries both in-state and within the Sun Belt Conference, particularly with Appalachian State and Georgia Southern. With a rich tradition and a commitment to success, the Chanticleers have become a force to be reckoned with in the world of college football.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football History

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football program has a relatively short but impactful history that began in the late 1990s when the university announced its plans to establish a football team. The inaugural season took place in 2003, with Brooks Stadium as the home field. David Bennett served as the team's first coach until December 2011, followed by Joe Moglia, the former CEO of TD Ameritrade.

Throughout its brief existence, Coastal Carolina's football team achieved notable victories against traditional FCS powers like James Madison University, Furman University, Wofford College, and the University of Montana. The program has secured seven Big South Conference championships and witnessed several former players making their mark in the NFL.

Coastal Carolina's football journey has been marked by significant milestones, transitioning from FCS to FBS in 2017. Notably, their inaugural FBS victory against UMass signified their emergence. Despite challenges in 2017, they ended on a high note with a Sun Belt Conference win over Idaho and a victory against Georgia Southern.

In 2018, the Chanticleers continued their upward trajectory, securing notable wins against UAB, Louisiana Lafayette, and Georgia State. The program boasts an impressive history with seven Big South Conference championships and a shared Sun Belt Conference championship in 2020.

These accomplishments are amplified by intense rivalries with Appalachian State and Liberty, adding excitement and significance to Coastal Carolina's football legacy as they continue to establish themselves in the college football landscape.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Coach

Tim Beck, born on March 14, 1966, is an accomplished American football coach who currently leads the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team as head coach. Before his tenure at Coastal Carolina, Beck served as the offensive coordinator at North Carolina State University from 2020. His coaching journey began with roles at Miramar High School and Illinois State Redbirds before progressing to high school coaching at Saguaro High School and R.L. Turner High School. Beck later returned to college coaching at Missouri State and continued to build an impressive career, coaching at various universities like Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio State, Texas, and North Carolina State.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Stadium: Brooks Stadium

Brooks Stadium, located in Conway, South Carolina, stands as the proud home of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team at Coastal Carolina University. Opened in 2003, the stadium is a tribute to Coby Garrett Brooks and Boni Belle Brooks, children of Robert Brooks, who hailed from Loris, South Carolina, and was the chairman of Hooters of America, Inc. One distinctive feature of the stadium is its teal artificial turf.

Brooks Stadium underwent significant expansion in preparation for Coastal Carolina's entry into the Sun Belt Conference in 2015. The project aimed to boost seating capacity from 15,000 to 20,000, aligning with NCAA FBS program requirements. The $38 million expansion, led by Heery International, Inc. and Stubbs Muldrow Herin architects, commenced in March 2017. Phase I included sideline expansion, connecting to the north end zone, and an expanded press box side upper deck, completed in time for the 2017 season opener. Phase II, completed in August 2019, added premium seating and an upper deck to the west side, solidifying Brooks Stadium as a key venue for Coastal Carolina football.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Rivals

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team shares intense rivalries with two prominent opponents, the Appalachian State Mountaineers and the Liberty Flames.

Appalachian State has a rich football history, with multiple NCAA championships and a transition to FBS football in 2014. Their rivalry with Coastal Carolina is marked by competitive matchups and memorable moments, including Appalachian's victory over No. 5 Michigan in 2007. The rivalry has continued in FBS, with both teams achieving AP Top 25 rankings in recent years, further fueling the competition.

On the other hand, the Coastal Carolina–Liberty football rivalry is a newer but equally passionate contest. Beginning in 2002, these teams have often competed for conference titles, with Liberty clinching its first FCS playoff bid in 2014 with a win against Coastal. The rivalry reached national attention when their 2020 matchup was scheduled for ESPN's College GameDay, only to be postponed due to COVID-19 issues. They later met in the Cure Bowl, where Liberty blocked a field goal to deny Coastal Carolina an undefeated season.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Record and stats

Conference championships

Division championships

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Roster

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football team boasts a diverse and talented roster on both offense and defense.

Starting with the offense, their quarterbacks include freshman Blake Boda, senior Jarrett Guest, and senior Grayson McCall, who is a key player to watch. The Chanticleers also have promising young quarterbacks in Luke Sather, Scott Saylor, and Ethan Vasko. In the running back position, they have a strong lineup featuring sophomore Max Balthazar, junior CJ Beasley, and junior Braydon Bennett, along with the up-and-coming freshman Jahbari Kuykendall.

On the defensive front, the Chanticleers are anchored by standout players such as senior Ja'Quon Griffin, who brings his experience to the defensive line. Joining him are Bryson Boone, Allen Henry, Emmanuel Johnson, James Johnson Jr., Micheal Mason, Travis Nesbitt, David Portu, Kennedy Roberts, and Will Rogers, all contributing their size and skills to the team's defensive prowess.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football Schedule

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Football team kicked off their season with a tough loss against UCLA on September 3rd, with a final score of 27-13. They rebounded in their next game on September 10th, defeating Jacksonville State with a score of 30-16. With a current record of 1-1, they are looking to build momentum.

The Chanticleers have some intriguing matchups ahead. On September 17th, they face Duquesne. Then, on September 22nd, they take on Georgia State. In October, they have back-to-back away games against Georgia Southern and Appalachian State on the 1st and 11th, respectively. Afterward, they travel to Arkansas State on October 22nd.

In November, they return home to play Marshall on the 28th and Texas State on November 11th. They conclude their regular season with an away game against Army on November 18th and a home game against James Madison on November 25th. Coastal Carolina is aiming to make their mark in these upcoming contests.