Coastal Carolina’s David Bennett Relieved of Head Football Coaching Duties
CONWAY – Coastal Carolina University President David DeCenzo and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek announced today that David Bennett has been relieved of his head coaching duties, effective immediately, and he will be reassigned to another position within the University.
“This was, to date, the hardest decision I have had to make as President of this institution,” DeCenzo said. “However, following an exhaustive review and assessment of our football program, I have concluded that new leadership is necessary to direct our program toward its goals. We will be forever grateful to David for shepherding our program from its beginning and developing our student-athletes into responsible members of our community”
Bennett is the only head coach Coastal’s football program has known, coming to Conway in 2002 and laying the foundation for the 2003 season, the Chanticleers’ first year of competition. Bennett compiled a nine-year record of 63-39. However, the Chanticleers were just 29-28 over his last five seasons, including a 15-12 mark in Big South Conference games.
“I was asked to complete a thorough evaluation of our football program that included a review of all on and off the field areas associated with the program,” Yurachek said. “Upon finalizing this evaluation, it was decided that a change of leadership was necessary for our football program to continue to grow and achieve the level of success that is reflective of the investment the University has made in the program.
“A search for our new head coach will begin immediately with an aggressive timetable. I anticipate a significant level of interest from candidates across the country,” Yurachek said.
Bennett owns a 16-year career head coaching record of 126-56, including a 63-17 mark in seven years at Catawba College prior to starting the Coastal Carolina program.
Bennett led CCU to four Big South championships (2004, 2005, 2006 and 2010) and was named the league’s Coach of the Year twice (2004 and 2010). He led Coastal to the Big South’s first and only NCAA at-large playoff berth in 2006, while earning the league’s first NCAA automatic playoff berth in 2010.
President David DeCenzo’s Comments at Press Conference
December 9, 2011
Members of the press, thank you for being here this evening. With me are Hunter Yurachek, Athletic
Director of CCU, and Wyatt Henderson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Let me get straight to the
point. After many conversations and much deliberation, I have decided that it is time to make a change in
the leadership of our football program. Earlier today, I informed David Bennett that he is no longer the
Head Coach of Chanticleer Football, effective immediately. I am reassigning David to a position in the
university to be determined.
It is a fact that this University could not have hired a better coach or a better person – and I emphasize
“person” – to begin our football program than David Bennett. We may not have won a national
championship on the football field but there is not a head coach of any sport at any university in the
nation that does a better job of shepherding and developing his players into responsible members of the
community than David Bennett.
While his accolades are well earned, as president I am held accountable by a variety of constituencies to
answer these questions: Is our football program headed in the right direction? Is it helping the university
in its long term strategic direction? Is the University getting a good return on the significant investment
we have made in the facilities and the operations of the football program? I have spoken at length with a
sizeable number of students, faculty, staff, trustees, supporters, donors, alumni, former football players,
and members of the community. Additionally the Director of Athletics has provided a thorough
evaluation of our football program. It was made quite clear to me that the energy and vitality appear to be
gone from our football program and that a change is needed.
It is true that we had a winning record this season but the record shows that the competitive stature of our
program has diminished significantly against peer FCS opponents. Our expenditures in football, quite
frankly are not resulting in a return on our investment. Of the 125 FCS schools, our spending on football
operations is easily in the top 20. With that investment, we expect to annually place in the top 20
programs, with sights set on competing consistently for the FCS playoffs and national championships.
That is simply not happening.
In addition, when you look at our record over the past five years, we have beaten only 3 teams that had
winning records. Our attendance at games has fallen sharply; we sell about 50 percent of our available
tickets. It is imperative that we find a way to create excitement around our program, attract more fans to
Brooks Stadium, and increase our revenues to offset our expenditures.
This was, to date, the hardest decision I have had to make as President of this institution. Upon reviewing
all the information I had gathered about the current state of our football program, I could do something or
I could do nothing. I have chosen to do something. The status quo is unacceptable. I want to be
accountable to the University community and to our supporters. I also want to be fiscally responsible for
the funds we invest in that program.
I have, therefore, decided to make this change in the leadership of Chanticleer football. Ultimately this is
about what is in the best interest of Coastal Carolina University.
Our Director of Athletics will shortly commence a search for our Head Coach and Director of Football
Operations.
Thank you.
December 9, 2011
Members of the press, thank you for being here this evening. With me are Hunter Yurachek, Athletic
Director of CCU, and Wyatt Henderson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Let me get straight to the
point. After many conversations and much deliberation, I have decided that it is time to make a change in
the leadership of our football program. Earlier today, I informed David Bennett that he is no longer the
Head Coach of Chanticleer Football, effective immediately. I am reassigning David to a position in the
university to be determined.
It is a fact that this University could not have hired a better coach or a better person – and I emphasize
“person” – to begin our football program than David Bennett. We may not have won a national
championship on the football field but there is not a head coach of any sport at any university in the
nation that does a better job of shepherding and developing his players into responsible members of the
community than David Bennett.
While his accolades are well earned, as president I am held accountable by a variety of constituencies to
answer these questions: Is our football program headed in the right direction? Is it helping the university
in its long term strategic direction? Is the University getting a good return on the significant investment
we have made in the facilities and the operations of the football program? I have spoken at length with a
sizeable number of students, faculty, staff, trustees, supporters, donors, alumni, former football players,
and members of the community. Additionally the Director of Athletics has provided a thorough
evaluation of our football program. It was made quite clear to me that the energy and vitality appear to be
gone from our football program and that a change is needed.
It is true that we had a winning record this season but the record shows that the competitive stature of our
program has diminished significantly against peer FCS opponents. Our expenditures in football, quite
frankly are not resulting in a return on our investment. Of the 125 FCS schools, our spending on football
operations is easily in the top 20. With that investment, we expect to annually place in the top 20
programs, with sights set on competing consistently for the FCS playoffs and national championships.
That is simply not happening.
In addition, when you look at our record over the past five years, we have beaten only 3 teams that had
winning records. Our attendance at games has fallen sharply; we sell about 50 percent of our available
tickets. It is imperative that we find a way to create excitement around our program, attract more fans to
Brooks Stadium, and increase our revenues to offset our expenditures.
This was, to date, the hardest decision I have had to make as President of this institution. Upon reviewing
all the information I had gathered about the current state of our football program, I could do something or
I could do nothing. I have chosen to do something. The status quo is unacceptable. I want to be
accountable to the University community and to our supporters. I also want to be fiscally responsible for
the funds we invest in that program.
I have, therefore, decided to make this change in the leadership of Chanticleer football. Ultimately this is
about what is in the best interest of Coastal Carolina University.
Our Director of Athletics will shortly commence a search for our Head Coach and Director of Football
Operations.
Thank you.
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