2023 Preview: Coastal Carolina

In 2020, Coastal Carolina was by most ranking systems a top 25 team (I had them 67th). In that year they had the 25th ranked offense and 76th ranked defense by my metrics. It’s really hard for a G5 team that recruits like they do to even be ranked in the 60s, so it was a testament to the coaching staff and the play calling on both sides of the ball. This year they went 9-4. Grayson McCall was injured for a significant portion of the season, yet the passing offense was still ranked 7th overall. The defense being ranked 116th was a huge problem though and ultimately imploded in a few real inopportune games. Still, this CCU team was experienced when it mattered. They went 5-1 in 1 score games and mounted 2 4th quarter comebacks. That’s a testament to the previous staff and Grayson McCall. The better teams put it on them though. Now they contend with Tim Beck taking over (former NCSU offensive coordinator), but he made some decent coordinator hires.