Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell surveyed the rag-tag group of coaches, one lone photographer and an eager journalist in his office Friday evening before the Texas State game, his eyes finally settling on the outlier – World Champion Competitive Eater Joey Chestnut. After a few minutes of slightly awestruck small talk, the Chanticleers’ head coach suddenly turned toward the cabinet behind his desk, reaching for something.
Everyone in the office waited, expecting a story or hoping for a parable but what Chadwell turned back around with was a gesture – his cameo-colored Military Appreciation game day hat with the American-themed Chanticleer emblem, which he handed over to Chestnut.