CONWAY, S.C. – Chance Miller, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation at Coastal Carolina University, has announced the addition of several key members to the athletics staff, bringing in expertise across critical areas such as revenue generation, software and systems creation and implementation, fan engagement, branding, capital projects, strategic planning, and student-athlete wellness. These new hires join Coastal's already talented and dedicated team, positioning the Chanticleers to capitalize on the emerging opportunities within the changing landscape of college athletics.
"Since joining Coastal in July, I've conducted an assessment of our department's strengths and future needs," said Miller. "We have an outstanding team in place, but we needed to bring some external operations in-house and combine some positions into higher-level expertise. These additions will allow us to tackle the opportunities ahead and ensure we're prepared for the changing NCAA environment. I'm thrilled to welcome these talented individuals and the diverse experience and fresh perspectives they bring. Together, we will elevate Coastal Carolina Athletics to new heights. Looking forward, we anticipate adding more strategic roles to support our growth."
New hires and their respective roles include:
- Andy Humes, Senior Deputy Athletics Director and Chief of Staff – Humes brings extensive experience across multiple athletic departments, including roles at Indiana, South Carolina, Missouri, San Diego State, and with Ice Miller law firm. Humes' background and experience will allow him to provide leadership and oversight of Coastal's day-to-day operations, capital projects, sport supervision, and strategic planning related to upcoming changes to the collegiate athletics landscape. "I am extremely grateful to Chance Miller and President Benson for bringing me to Coastal. The alignment and shared vision for Athletics between Chance, President Benson, and our Board of Trustees is apparent and energizing. It's an amazing time to be at Coastal, as well as the Conway and Myrtle Beach area. I look forward to serving our constituents and further propelling Coastal Athletics to new heights. Go Chants!" said Humes.
- Matt Harman, Chief Revenue Officer – With experience at Radford, Iowa, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, Harman has developed and managed data warehouses, visualization platforms, CRM systems, and created business intelligence tools to drive new ticket sales, sponsorships, and memberships. He will oversee Coastal's revenue efforts, including implementing revenue software systems, managing sponsorships, ticketing, membership growth, fan experiences, and all other external revenue opportunities. "I'm extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to be part of Coastal Carolina Athletics. The opportunity to support our fans, donors, student-athletes, coaches, and staff in today's college athletics landscape is an exciting challenge. Coastal and the Conway area is a special place that has a lot of potential in years to come," said Harman.
- Wyatt Hopper, Chief Development Officer, Chanticleer Athletic Foundation (CAF) – Hopper brings valuable fundraising experience from previous roles at Ole Miss and South Carolina and will lead CAF's major gifts efforts to increase philanthropic support for Coastal Athletics. "I am thrilled to join Coastal Carolina Athletics, and to be a part of such a great university, department, and team. I'm looking forward to developing relationships and continuing to generate lasting contributions to the university and community!" said Hopper.
- Patrick Osborne, Associate Athletic Director for Social Media and Brand Engagement – Recognized as a rising talent in social media, communications, and branding, with experience at South Carolina and Oklahoma State, Osborne will oversee Coastal's digital communication and branding strategy, as well as its social media presence. "I'm thankful and excited for the opportunity that Coastal Carolina has provided me. This is a place with all the tools necessary to have a consistent and excellent presence in the ever-changing social media world in which we live. We will hold ourselves to the highest of standards to give our student-athletes, coaches, and fans the best social media coverage we can. I'm looking forward to this journey with Teal Nation and helping highlight all the things that make being a Chanticleer so special. Go Chants!" said Osborne.
- Rachel Sharpe, Assistant Athletic Director for Medical Services – With over ten years of experience in the SEC, Sharpe became the first female head athletic trainer in professional football and contributed to the NCAA Mental Health Task Force, which addresses the mental health issues facing student-athletes. She has since presented widely on the role of athletic trainers in supporting student-athletes' mental wellness. At Coastal, she will lead the sports medicine department, enhancing health and wellness services for student-athletes. "When Chance reached out about joining the staff at Coastal, I learned about the incredible vision the University and Athletics has for Coastal moving forward, and it made me want to be part of it. I am excited to work with our current and future sports medicine staff members to strengthen this program and continue to deliver excellent care to our student-athletes," said Sharpe.
- Allie Jennerette, Development Specialist and Engagement Coordinator, Chanticleer Athletic Foundation – A Conway native with experience in athletic recruitment and stewardship, Jennerette will support CAF's engagement and development efforts, enhancing relationships with alumni, fans, and local supporters. "This is a special place and has always been home to me. I am so excited to be back and working with the Chants!" said Jennerette.
- Lena Schaeffner, Altius Sports NIL General Manager – A former Coastal student-athlete, Schaeffner returns with experience in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiatives through her work with the Coastal Sports Collective. Schaeffner will lead NIL efforts, enabling student-athletes to maximize their opportunities in the evolving collegiate landscape. "I am incredibly excited to return to Coastal Carolina University in this new role. As a former student-athlete, I understand firsthand the importance of empowering our athletes to maximize their potential both on and off the field. I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes and helping them navigate this evolving landscape, ensuring they can capitalize on their unique opportunities while representing our university with pride," said Schaeffner.
These strategic additions highlight Coastal Carolina Athletics' commitment to supporting student-athletes, engaging fans, and fostering growth in an increasingly dynamic collegiate athletics environment.