The coaching search at Coastal Carolina is entering a crucial phase, and the process is gradually becoming clearer—even though it's only been just under ten days since the university dismissed Tim Beck. According to sources close to FootballScoop, Coastal Carolina’s administrative team is exploring multiple options as they look to identify the right person to lead their football program. And this is where it gets interesting: while interim head coach Jeremiah Johnson continues to be a strong candidate for the permanent position—especially as he prepares to guide the team in the upcoming Independence Bowl against Louisiana Tech—officials are casting a wide net across the college football landscape.
Sources reveal that Coastal Carolina's decision-makers have reached out to various coaches across different divisions of college football. Among those initially considered for interviews are Missouri State’s head coach Ryan Beard—who helped his team secure an impressive 12-win season in 2025, their best in a quarter-century—and Drew Cronic, the Navy offensive coordinator and a finalist for the Broyles Award. Cronic, who has previously won the Broyles Award himself, has also been recognized for his success as a two-time FCS Playoffs coach who recently led Mercer to its best season in 25 years.
Adding to the intrigue, Clemson’s offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who secured the 2022 Broyles Award, has reportedly entered the conversation. Multiple sources told FootballScoop that Riley has engaged in conversations with Coastal's representatives, and it’s suggested that he is deeply involved—some insiders even say he's 'deep in it.' This has sparked discussions about whether Riley could be a prime candidate for the job.
Meanwhile, Kevin Cahill, the head coach at Lehigh, has also been frequently mentioned in coaching circles related to Coastal Carolina. Achieving a remarkable 12-win season in 2025—the most in 25 years for Lehigh—Cahill’s team also made a second consecutive appearance in the FCS Playoffs, advancing to the second round. Although Cahill has limited experience coaching in the Southeast, he previously spent a decade as an assistant at Yale, a prominent Ivy League program.
Another rising star in the coaching world—Mike Jacobs, head coach at Mercer—has also gained attention. Over the past few years, Jacobs has made rapid progress: after guiding Lenoir-Rhyne to the NCAA Division II semifinals in 2023, and with 29 wins over three seasons, he has now led Mercer to consecutive Southern Conference titles and playoff appearances, reaching the quarterfinals and second round in recent years. Jacobs was also among the candidates during UAB's recent coaching search, which resulted in interim coach Alex Mortensen being named the full-time head coach.
In addition, Drew Cronic has been linked to other coaching pursuits. UAB’s search for a new head coach initially drew interest from Cronic, but reports from FootballScoop on November 29 indicated that he decided to withdraw his candidacy and declined UAB’s offer. Interestingly, his decision to step away from other opportunities suggests he is carefully weighing his options.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that Missouri State’s Ryan Beard has made significant contributions to his team’s transition from FCS to FBS level football. Over the past two years, Beard’s leadership helped his squad post 15 wins while navigating a challenging schedule that included a season-opener against USC, a Big Ten powerhouse. The Bears finished the season with a solid 7-5 record and earned an invite to the XBox Bowl.
All signs point to a decision coming soon in Coastal Carolina’s coaching hunt. Fans and followers will want to stay tuned for updates as the process unfolds. And so, here's a question to consider: with such a diverse list of candidates—including both highly established and rising coaches—who do you believe is the best fit for Coastal Carolina, and why? The coaching carousel continues to spin, sparking debate across college football — what’s your take?
