Hailey
Missouri State football fans received surprising news when head coach Ryan Beard announced he is leaving the Bears to take over as the new head coach at Coastal Carolina.
This decision comes right after what many people consider the greatest season in Missouri State football history. His exit marks a big change for the program, especially after their strong FBS debut. Here’s the full story explained in a simple and easy-to-read way.
Ryan Beard Accepts Coastal Carolina Job
On Thursday, Dec. 11, Coastal Carolina officially confirmed Ryan Beard as their next head coach. This announcement came just hours after a national sports reporter first broke the news.
Beard’s decision ends his three-year run as Missouri State’s head coach, during which he helped guide the team through a major transition from the FCS level to the FBS world.
Beard finishes with a 19-16 overall record, showing steady improvement each year. His leadership played a major part in Missouri State’s rise as a competitive FBS program.
Missouri State’s First FBS Season: A Big Achievement
The 2025 season was historic for Missouri State. It was their first full season competing as an FBS team in Conference USA, and the Bears finished with an impressive 7-5 record.
This performance helped them earn a spot in the Xbox Bowl, where they are scheduled to play Arkansas State on December 18 in Frisco, Texas.
What made this season even more special is that Missouri State earned six wins over FBS teams, something they had not done since 1990.
Because not enough teams in the country reached bowl eligibility, the Bears were selected even though they were still in their transition period from FCS to FBS.
How Ryan Beard Became Head Coach
Ryan Beard first arrived at Missouri State in 2020 as the defensive coordinator, working under head coach Bobby Petrino, who is also his father-in-law. When Petrino left the program to take a job at UNLV, Beard stepped into the head coaching role.
His coaching growth was clear from season to season. Here is a simple look at his results:
Missouri State Under Ryan Beard
| Season | Record | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4-7 | First season as head coach |
| 2024 | 8-4 | Eight-game winning streak |
| 2025 | 7-5 | First bowl eligibility during FBS transition |
In 2024, the Bears doubled their win total and showed major progress. However, NCAA rules did not allow them to compete in the FCS playoffs because they were in the middle of transferring to FBS status.
Why Beard Decided to Leave Missouri State
Even though Beard had a contract with Missouri State that lasted through the 2030 season, he was one of the lowest-paid coaches at the FBS level. In 2025, he earned $450,000, ranking 121st out of 122 public contracts.
Meanwhile, the coach he is replacing at Coastal Carolina, Tim Beck, was making more than $1.15 million per year. That large salary difference made it difficult for Missouri State to keep Beard, even though the school wanted to offer him a raise.
Beard will now take over a Coastal Carolina program that finished with a 20-18 record under Beck, who was fired after three seasons.
Ryan Beard’s move to Coastal Carolina marks a major turning point for Missouri State football. After helping guide the Bears through their historic jump into FBS competition and leading them to a bowl game, he leaves behind a stronger program than the one he inherited.
For Coastal Carolina, Beard brings energy, experience, and proven results. For Missouri State, a new coaching search begins, and fans will be watching closely to see who takes over and how the team continues to grow in the coming years.
Beard’s journey shows how quickly college football can change, and his next chapter is now ready to begin.