Coastal Carolina has had a record-breaking football season, and Coastal alumni here at Socastee could not be more excited. 

The team is 11-0 for the first time in their history in the FBS, has beaten two ranked teams, and are now ranked No. 12 in the country.

By surprising everyone and beating Appalachian State 34-23 Nov. 21, they are now eligible for a bowl game. And, they are now the “co-champions” of the Sun Belt Conference along with Louisiana (since COVID-19 cancelled the championship game that was supposed to be Saturday).

Perhaps no one is more excited about the team’s success than new Socastee Football Coach Ben Hampton, who was part of the Chanticleer’s inaugural football team.

“The growth of the football program at Coastal has been exponential,” Coach Hampton said. “Huge wins over Top-25/Top-10 ranked teams, undefeated regular season, [co-winning] the Sun-Belt Conference Championship, with a chance to make a NY6 Bowl, and on top of all that … they have more fun than anyone doing it.” 

Coastal has definitely grown as a team over the years, he said, but also as a family.

“A lot of times it is guys in the trenches that often go unnoticed that tend to play the biggest roles,” he said. “I also truly believe that is what makes this team special. They do not care who gets the credit.”

He said the Georgia Southern game where Fred Payton came in and played QB in starting QB Grayson McCall’s absence is the perfect example.

“It didn’t matter, they picked each other up and played for each other,” he said. “This group of young men have one goal in mind and that is to be successful. They haven’t defined their success by wins and losses; rather, by executing their assignments and doing their jobs.” 

Principal Mr. Jeremy Rich is also a Coastal alum who is excited about the team’s success. He said he has watched the team grow since its beginning. 

“They had many seasons where they were ranked nationally and competed in the playoffs,” he said. “It doesn’t surprise me that their success has continued now at the FBS level.”

 He said it took a few years of good recruiting to really lead them to where they are now. 

“A year like they are having this year does not come along often,” he said. “I believe they are having so much success because the players and coaches have all bought in on their plan.”