The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football will have one date circled above all others on their 2026 schedule.
When the Liberty Flames football visit Brooks Stadium on Sept. 24, it will mark the first time former Coastal head coach Jamey Chadwell returns to Conway since leaving to take over Liberty’s program following the 2022 season.
The nationally televised Thursday night matchup will be Coastal Carolina’s annual Teal Out game and one of two ESPN network appearances for the Chanticleers in 2026. Beyond the bright lights, the game carries significant emotional weight for the program and its fanbase, as Chadwell returns to the field where he built one of the most successful eras in Coastal football history.
Chadwell was the architect for Coastal Carolina’s rise to prominence in college football, highlighted by an 11-0 regular season in 2020. The Chanticleers’ modified triple option offense, led by quarterback Grayson McCall, captivated the nation and caused one of the fastest rises from FCS transition in the sport’s history. Chadwell took this offense with him to Liberty—the school who defeated Coastal Carolina in the 2020 Cure Bowl.
Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell has created the most creative option attack in college football. The ideas broke onto the stage at Coastal Carolina but have continued to light up the scoreboard in Lynchburg. #LibertyFootball #FlamesFootball #LUfootball #LibertyFlames #GoFlames pic.twitter.com/yyOpEUxd4p
— Throw Deep Publishing – 🏈 Books and Videos (@TDPublishing) March 4, 2024
Now led by head coach Ryan Beard, the Chanticleers will look to defend their home turf against the coach who guided Coastal to national prominence during his tenure in Conway.
“Our players and coaches are excited about the challenge this schedule presents,” Beard said in a statement. “We’ll be tested early with a strong non-conference slate that will help prepare us for the grind of Sun Belt play. Every week in this league we will face high quality programs and coaching staffs. We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete and represent Coastal Carolina the right way. Chants Up!!”
The Coastal Carolina Football Schedule has been released!
The Chants face former Head Coach Jamie Chadwell & Liberty Thursday September 24th
They also host App State on Friday October 16th pic.twitter.com/331zoGsNXz
— Brandon Dunn (@BDunnsports) March 13, 2026
Coastal Carolina 2026 Football Schedule
Before the highly anticipated Liberty matchup, Coastal Carolina will open the season on the road Sept. 5 with a trip to face the West Virginia Mountaineers football in Morgantown.
The Chanticleers will return to Brooks Stadium the following week for their home opener against the Fordham Rams football on Sept. 12. The game will feature the program’s annual Beach Bash and White Out celebration.
Coastal then travels north to take on the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens football on Sept. 19 before returning to Conway for the showdown with Liberty five days later.
Following the Liberty matchup, Coastal opens Sun Belt Conference play at home against the Georgia Southern Eagles football on Oct. 3 during Family Weekend. The game will also honor the 2026 Coastal Carolina Hall of Fame class.
The Chanticleers then travel to face the Marshall Thundering Herd football on Oct. 10 before returning home for another nationally televised contest against the Appalachian State Mountaineers football on Oct. 16. The Friday night matchup will air on an ESPN linear network and feature the program’s annual Wait ’Til You See This Game promotion.
“We’re excited about the opportunities this schedule presents for our program and our fans,” said Coastal Carolina Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation Chance Miller. “Playing in front of Teal Nation at Brooks Stadium is always special, and having two nationally televised matchups creates a great atmosphere for our student-athletes and supporters while showing the rest of the country what Coastal is all about.”
After a bye week, Coastal returns to action with a Halloween road trip against the Georgia State Panthers football on Oct. 31.
The Chanticleers then host the Old Dominion Monarchs football on Nov. 7 for Homecoming, which will feature a Black Out theme at Brooks Stadium.
Coastal closes its home schedule the following week against the Arkansas State Red Wolves football on Nov. 14 during Senior Day and Salute to Service ceremonies.
The regular season concludes with back-to-back road games against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football on Nov. 21 and the James Madison Dukes football on Nov. 28.
Game times and final television designations will be announced at a later date.
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