CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell is sitting behind the desk in his office, grinning as he attempts to explain how the Chanticleers became 2020's most endearing story in college football.
After Coastal blew out Kansas, 38-23, to open last season, it etched its mark into college football’s consciousness week after rollicking week. The country gawked at the Chanticleers' WWE-style victory celebrations, admired their flowing mullets and related to the overachieving crew of squatty “Mighty Mite” offensive linemen.
Chadwell himself emerged as a folksy fixture in the sport, taking a team that went 5-7 in 2019 and leading it to an undefeated regular season and Sun Belt title.