CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — The Chants have a new head coach!
Ryan Beard, the current head coach at Missouri State University, will lead Chanticleer Football starting in the 2026 season.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Ryan Beard of the Missouri State Bears shouts in the game against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on September 01, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Beard led the Bears since before the beginning of the 2023 season after serving three years as defensive coordinator. At the time of his promotion to head coach, he was the youngest coach in program history.
The announcement comes 12 days after CCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation, Chance Miller, fired former CCU Head Coach Tim Beck.
“After a comprehensive review of our entire football program and its trajectory, I’ve determined a change is needed moving forward,” Miller said. “We are grateful to Coach Beck for his efforts the past three seasons. We certainly wish Coach and his family well in their future endeavors. Our expectation for this football program is to win the Sun Belt conference championship and compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff, and that will guide us in our search for our next head coach,” Miller said on Nov. 30.
He added that a national search for a replacement began that same day.
“We landed one of the nation’s best young coaches to be the head coach of our football team,” said Miller. “Teal Nation will love Ryan Beard’s energy, work ethic and passion, and he is the perfect leader for this program. His track record of elevating teams, maximizing talent, and developing student-athletes speaks for itself. Everywhere he has been — from Western Kentucky, Louisville, and Central Michigan to leading Missouri State through a successful FBS transition — Coach Beard has shown an exceptional ability to inspire, transform, and win. His trajectory in this profession is remarkable, and we believe his best years are still ahead of him. We are thrilled to welcome Coach Beard, his wife Katie, and their children Beau, Lainey, Jacob and Kailey to Coastal Carolina.”
Head Coach, Tim Beck (WPDE)
READ MORE: ‘A change is needed’: CCU head football coach fired effective immediately
Defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson will serve as interim head coach for the upcoming bowl game, university officials said.
Beard was introduced as Missouri State’s head coach on Dec. 19, 2022, when he was just 33 years old, making him the youngest head coach in program history and the 22nd to lead the Bears. His promotion followed three seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator under Bobby Petrino, widely regarded as one of the top minds in college football.
Beard’s defensive units played a critical role in Missouri State’s resurgence, helping the program reach consecutive FCS playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021, the school’s first postseason berths in 30 years. His defenses also produced four All-Americans, 18 all-conference standouts, and three NFL players.
Before becoming head coach, Beard served as Missouri State’s defensive coordinator from 2020–22, where his units helped engineer one of the biggest turnarounds in FCS football.
“Coach Beard is a leader of character, energy, and vision,” said Coastal Carolina University President Dr. James J. Winebrake. “His commitment to student-athlete success, both on and off the field, aligns perfectly with the mission and values of our University. We look forward to supporting him as he guides Chanticleer football into its next chapter of excellence.”
A native of Bowling Green, Ky., Beard was a standout defensive back at Western Kentucky from 2007–11. He played in over 40 games during the program’s transition to the FBS, earned All-Sun Belt honors, and received WKU’s Iron Man Award. Beard holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Kentucky. He and his wife, Katie, have four children: Beau, Lainey, and twins Jacob and Kailey.
“It’s an incredible honor to be named the head football coach at Coastal Carolina University,” Beard said. “This program has built a national reputation for competitiveness, toughness, and doing things the right way. My family and I are excited to join the Coastal community, and I’m eager to get to work with our student-athletes, staff, and supporters as we build on the strong foundation already in place. The future here is extremely bright.”
