SCANDALS!
Bad headlines, staff choices and one lawsuit. The jokes are loud, but the facts stay clear.
1. Hawaii Bowl “Ball At The Beach” photo
In December 2023, Coastal social posts showed shirtless head coach Tim Beck on a Hawaii beach with the school's dance team in matching teal bathing suits or bikini-style uniforms, plus mascot Chauncey. The posts were deleted. Coverage spread through WPDE, the New York Post, Awful Announcing, OutKick, the Myrtle Beach Sun News and The Chanticleer, which reported TMZ pickup.
“It was a very spontaneous event. There was no intent to try to generate any particular kind of response.”
“Nobody told (me) 100 bazillion percent, all me... It was all me because it became a distraction.”
The Chanticleer reported a campus Instagram poll in which 35% called the post inappropriate. Dance coach Marla Sage said the dancers chose matching suits and asked Beck for the photo. The news reports did not say the university punished Beck or found a Title IX violation.
WPDE · New York Post · Awful Announcing · The Chanticleer · OutKick
2. SportsCenter beer chug + can smash
On November 7, 2024, Beck drank a beer live on ESPN SportsCenter before the App State game as fans chanted “Chug!” Coverage reports that he finished and smashed the can against his forehead. Coastal beat App State 38–24 that day. No report said he was fined or suspended.
“I'm sure my wife was really proud... Coach Mullen couldn't believe I did it.”
Awful Announcing · Total Pro Sports / image source
LAWSUIT CLAIM • NO PUBLIC VERDICT OR SETTLEMENT FOUND3. The 2012 Morgan / Pelini Foundation clinic lawsuit
Beverly Morgan sued Beck and the Pelini Foundation after a June 2010 Football 101 clinic. She alleged that she was placed in a gauntlet drill, that “Hit her!” was shouted, and that she later required brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. Reporting said approximately $92,500 in medical expenses were sought.
These are claims from a lawsuit, not proven facts. No public verdict or settlement was found.
Associated Press via The Columbian · Courthouse News
4. Midseason firing of OC Travis Trickett
Beck fired Trickett on October 21, 2024, then took over offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and play-calling duties. Beck said it was “By no means... Travis' undoing” and that he felt he had to help. Asked if the expanded duties were too much, he answered: “Maybe. We'll see how it goes.”
At the time, myHorryNews reported the offense was fifth in the Sun Belt and 43rd nationally in scoring at 32 points per game, but 13th in the conference and 107th nationally on third-down percentage at 35%.
myHorryNews
5. Coastal firing + buyout optics
Coastal fired Beck on November 30, 2025 after a 6–6 regular season and a 59–10 loss to JMU. He finished 20–18. The final two games were losses by a combined 110–17. Athletic director Chance Miller said the program needed a change.
MyHorryNews reported a contract-specific figure of approximately $1.575 million, described as 75% of remaining salary if terminated without cause before January 1, 2026. The Athletic's March 3, 2026 table listed a maximum and current buyout of $1.7 million, with payouts ending in 2026. No report of a buyout lawsuit or public fight was found.
Post and Courier · ESPN · The Athletic buyout table