Why CCU football coach says players grocery shopping is part of his plan to win big games
Chanticleer Athletic Foundation vice chairman John Rutenberg said he was at the supermarket recently when he noticed star quarterback Grayson McCall taking pictures of a full shopping cart.
The images were headed to CCU football’s nutritionist as part of a program launched by new head coach Tim Beck called “real world Wednesday,” which swaps out a day of weight lifting and playbook review with lessons on personal finance, punctuality and other non-football skills.
Beck was hired Dec. 4 to replace Jamey Chadwell.
“We all know doing what everyone else does is just average. Being great requires extra effort, extra time, extra sacrifice. Being innovative,” Beck told the foundation’s board at a Feb. 8 meeting. “We just have a great group of guys and a great staff right now. I’m really excited about where the future is leading and heading.”
The nonprofit Chanticleer Athletic Foundation assists CCU’s athletics through scholarships, funding for new facilities and academic programs.
Spring practice starts Feb. 28, and Beck said a scrimmage is tentatively planned for 5 p.m. on April 8.
Beck, 56, spent three seasons as NC State’s offensive coordinator and was named of the nation’s top recruiters in 2020 by 247Sports.com.
Beck’s resume also includes stints at Texas, Ohio State, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri State.
CCU’s schedule will only get more difficult in coming years as the Sun Belt Conference added James Madison, Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss starting next year.
CCU opens its season on Sept. 2 with a road game against UCLA. Beck makes his Brooks Stadium debut a week later when CCU hosts Jacksonville State.
Under center will be McCall, the conference’s three-time player of the year and CCU’s all-time touchdown leader. He announced last month a return to Conway after briefly entering the transfer portal.
Foundation member David Sage said Beck predicted McCall would be back for Chants.
“I had some good odds, I had some intel,” Beck said at the Feb. 8. meeting.
Beck said his early priorities were building up the program’s strength and conditioning and nutrition programs to help stave off injuries that over the past couple of seasons have cost CCU wins.
“I felt like what I saw from the football team as the season kind of went on over the last couple of years, we were injured a lot and we struggled more in those games,” he said to the foundation’s board. “It’s size, it’s good stamina. Now, to win a national championship it’s 14 or 15 games and the NFL is playing, some of these players are playing up to 18 games. It’s gotten so long and drawn out.”