Looking ahead to 2016 for Coastal Carolina football

It was quite a ride these last few seasons for the Coastal Carolina football program as it shot up the national rankings and became a viable FCS contender very quickly under head coach Joe Moglia.

Four straight FCS playoff appearances, No. 1 national rankings, a share of three Big South championships, 41 wins in four years …

And now a new era begins as the Chanticleers start their transition to the FBS level and the Sun Belt Conference. They won’t be eligible for any postseason opportunities the next two years and won’t be eligible for any conference honors next season.

There might be even more changes coming.

Coastal Carolina already knows it has to replace star quarterback Alex Ross and the program is now in the market for a defensive coordinator after parting ways with Clayton Carlin after four seasons. Star running back De’Angelo Henderson is not yet sure he is returning for his senior season as he weighs his options, including the potential to declare for the NFL Draft, and head coach Joe Moglia’s return is not a certainty either as he might be a candidate for other coaching jobs around the country after his successful four-year run in Conway.

However it shakes out, it’s a much different offseason after the stability of the last few years.

What’s that mean for 2016? Moglia says that’s something he, his coaches and the players all have to think about as they turn their focus forward.

“We have our first meeting January 12 … and I want to spend some time talking about, ‘What is it in 2016 we have to play for? What is it in 2016 that can make that a really special year for us other than laying the foundation for the future?’ ” he said. “I will give that a lot more thought between now and then. All of my coaches will give that thought as well and the players will give thought to that.

“[But] there’s no way we’re going into 2016 not being fully, totally committed, ready to go. Would we like to be playing for a championship? Of course. Would we like to be in a bowl game or a playoff? Of course. But we can’t control that. This is [still] going to be a real season.”

And to that end, the Chants have some very real questions as they evaluate their depth chart and what holes need filling.

Offense

Gone: Quarterback Alex Ross; left guard Daniel Anousheh; tight end Craig Weick; wide receiver John Israel; slot receiver Tyrell Blanks.

Returning starters: Assuming running back De’Angelo Henderson returns for his senior season – he’s awaiting a recommendation from the NFL College Advisory Committee as to whether he should declare for the NFL Draft – he could be even more of a focal point on offense with the inexperience at quarterback. He finished 2015 with 1,346 rushing yards, 403 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns.

The Chants will be strong up front with four returning starters on the offensive line in rising seniors Voghens Larrieux (left tackle), Sam Ekwonike (right guard) and Chase Tidwell (right tackle) along with impressive rising sophomore Jamarion McBride (center).

And they’ll be deep and talented in the receiving corps yet again as well with Bruce Mapp (50 catches for 769 yards and seven touchdowns) back as a senior and Chris Jones (33-604-4) returning after a breakout sophomore season.

Outside of the quarterback spot, this will continue to be a veteran offense loaded with playmakers.

Up-and-comers to watch: Running back Osharmar Abercrombie had a breakout sophomore season, averaging a team-high 6.7 yards per carry while rushing for 502 yards and seven touchdowns in a limited role. If Henderson doesn’t return, he’ll obviously be in line for a big season. The coaches are also very high on rising sophomore Isaac Martin, who is next on the depth chart at running back. … The Chants have a number of young receivers waiting for their chance, led by rising sophomore Frankie Richardson, who averaged 14.1 yards on eight catches this fall.

Key question: Who is going to replace Alex Ross at quarterback? Offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said rising sophomore Josh Stilley will open the spring atop the depth chart after serving as the Chants’ No. 3 quarterback this season, but redshirt-freshman Chance Thrasher came into the program as a touted recruit and will be vying for the job as well. He missed most of the fall, though, after undergoing a procedure on his shoulder, so he is a little bit behind schedule with his development.

“Chance has to get healthy,” Patenaude said. “We feel good about his ability. I think he’s going to be a really good player, but he hasn’t really done much since he’s been here because of the injury. And Josh Stilley showed some really good stuff in the spring. He’s really smart; he just needs an opportunity to get out there and throw it around.

“Because he was the third guy on the depth chart coming out of the fall, he’ll be the first guy to take a snap in the spring, but it will be a wide-open deal.”

Defense

Gone: Starting defensive ends Calvin Hollenhorst and Roderick Holder; starting defensive tackle Leroy Cummings; starting linebacker Devon Brant; key reserve linebacker Rayshaud Shields; nickle Datarius Allen; safety Kelvin Deveaux; reserve defensive end Aaron McFarland.

Returning starters: Defensive tackle Jabarai Bothwell, the team’s defensive MVP this season with 73 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, will return as a senior. Linebacker Alex Scearce (team-high 79 tackles), nickle C.J. Thompson and cornerback Kamron Summers will return as experienced seniors as well.

The Chants will also return three safeties who started games this season in rising junior Kerron Johnson, senior Austin Murillo and sophomore Michael Billings. And all three players who started at the other cornerback spot – Dontay Hears, Anthony Chesley and Samson Baldwin – are expected back.

The hope is that another year of maturation for all of those young players in the secondary can spur the improvement the Chants need to see back there.

Up-and-comers to watch: Defensive end Marcus Williamson had a terrific sophomore season as a reserve, tallying a team-high six quarterback hurries and a program-record four blocked kicks along with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He has the potential to be a star for the defense. … Cornerback Ray Lewis III was one of the team’s more improved players over the course of the season and could compete for a bigger role next fall. … Defensive end Myles White (listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds), who redshirted this season, is a player the coaching staff is very high on up front. … And at linebacker, rising junior Shane Johnson had some nice moments this season. He and rising sophomores Sedrick Palmer and Fitz Wattley will all compete for playing time.

Key question: Obviously, the biggest question is who takes over as defensive coordinator with Clayton Carlin gone after four seasons? Moglia has not offered any timeline yet as to when he expects to fill that position. Aside from that, though, the Chants are still hoping standout safety Richie Sampson can return for his final season after missing 2015 recovering from shoulder surgery.

Special Teams

Gone: Really, nobody. At least in terms of specialists.

Returning Starters: Steady kicker Ryan Granger (16-of-20 on field goals this season) and kick returner Devin Brown (five career kickoff return touchdowns, 2015 Big South Special Teams Player of the Year) will return as seniors. Jones returns as a dynamic punt returner after ranking 15th in the FCS in averaging 11.5 yards per return. And punter Evan Rabon, punter/kickoff specialist Masamitsu Ishibashi and holder Connor Kubala are back as well.

Key Question: The only question is whether teams will kick to Brown next year and give him a chance to tie the FCS record for career kickoff return touchdowns. He’s one away.

This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Looking ahead to 2016 for Coastal Carolina football."