‘I waited for this one:’ Coastal Carolina University introduces Tim Beck as new football coach

Soon after being named Coastal Carolina University’s next head football coach, Tim Beck’s new Twitter followers added a blast of teal to the red-and-white of his NC State pedigree.

Beck loved it — adding “Head Football Coach — Coastal Carolina University #ChantsUp” to his profile as he got ready to take over a Group of Five powerhouse that’s making its third bowl game appearance in as many years.

“I’m going to give you everything I’ve got. I’ve waited too long for this. I’m not going to screw this up,” Beck said at a Dec. 5 news conference where he was introduced as as the program’s fourth head coach, named hours after Jamey Chadwell left to take a job at Liberty.

Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days’ played over loudspeakers as Beck entered the HTC Recreation & Convocation Center’s gymnasium through a line of cheerleaders.

“There’s nothing better than being out in the grass on an afternoon about 75 degrees and you’re playing football,” and I’ve been doing that since I’ve been a kid. And I’ve waited for this moment for a long time,” Beck said.

Beck, 56, brings an offensive minded approach to Conway. He’s spent the past three years running the Wolfpack offense and was named one of America’s top recruiters in 2020 by 247Sports.com.

Before that, Beck had stops at Texas, Ohio State, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri State, among others. He served as the offensive coordinator for the Longhorns, Buckeyes and Cornhuskers.

CCU’s schedule will only get more difficult in coming years as the Sun Belt Conference swells to 14 teams —adding James Madison, Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss starting next year.

Most recently, Beck worked with NC State quarterback Devin Leary, who tossed 35 touchdowns and five interceptions for the team in 2021. Leary entered the transfer portal Dec. 5.

Beck was co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for Ohio State in 2015 and 2016, when Joe Burrow was enrolled.

Beck has personal connections to CCU. His daughter Haylie played volleyball there. Beck and CCU football administrator Joe Moglia also spent time together on Bo Pelini’s staff while they were at Nebraska.

“For two years I was on that same staff. For two years I saw the way he recruited. For two years I saw the way he put together game plans, I saw the respect and admiration his players had with him and that really, really registered with me back then,” Moglia said Dec. 5.

It was during a trip to the Grand Strand in 2016 that left Back craving to lead CCU’s football program.

He was visiting the school as part of Haylie’s recruitment as the baseball team clinched the College World Series title.

The Becks were on the beach, cheering for the team as the game was broadcast over the radio.

“This became the job I wanted, and I watched and I saw the culture. I saw the leadership, and it just made me more hungry for the job. I waited for this one,” Beck said.

Defensive coordinator Chad Staggs will coach CCU during the Dec. 27 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl against East Carolina as Beck continues to evaluate his staff.

Beck left the podium with one request for Teal Nation.

“I ask one thing of the community and one thing only. Let’s make Brooks Stadium the toughest and most feared place to play in the Sun Belt conference every Saturday,” he said.