CONWAY, S.C. — Coastal Carolina head football coach Ryan Beard announced the Chanticleers' defensive coaching staff on Friday. The announcement follows Monday's hiring of L.D. Scott as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. The defensive staff features experienced position coaches with proven track records in player development, defensive production, and recruiting across multiple collegiate levels.

For more on Scott's background, READ HERE.

Connor Benado 
Inside Linebackers Coach
Benado joins the Chanticleers after spending the 2025 season at Missouri State, where he led the Bears' linebacker group. He previously spent four seasons at Southeast Missouri State, coaching inside linebackers and specialists and helping the Redhawks win two Ohio Valley Conference titles and make multiple FCS playoff appearances. While at SEMO, Benado coached inside linebacker Bryce Norman, the 2024 OVC–Big South Defensive Player of the Year, a consensus All-American, and a first-team All-OVC selection who led the team in tackles from 2021–24 and finished his career second in program history with 408 total tackles. He also coached first-team All-Big South–OVC punt returner Dalyn McDonald and All-American kicker DC Pippin.

Benado also served as a graduate assistant at Missouri State from 2019–20, working with defensive backs and special teams, and has coaching stops at William Jewell College and MidAmerica Nazarene University. A former MidAmerica Nazarene linebacker, he helped lead the Pioneers to a Heart of America Conference championship.

Michael Downing 
Outside Linebackers/Nickel Coach
Downing joins Coastal Carolina as outside linebackers and nickel coach after serving on the Missouri State defensive staff, where he coached outside linebackers and served as co–special teams coordinator during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In that role, he helped develop multiple award-winning players while contributing to units that produced strong defensive and special teams results. In 2024, his position group helped the Bears post strong defensive numbers, including a top-25 national turnover margin, while continuing to produce all-conference and All-America performers. In his first season at Missouri State in 2023, Downing's outside linebackers helped the Bears rank 40th nationally in interceptions (10) and 40th in tackles for loss per game (5.9) among FCS programs, laying a strong foundation for future success.

Prior to Missouri State, Downing served on the defensive quality control staff at the University of Colorado and began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at TCU. A former TCU safety, Downing lettered three seasons and ranked among the Big 12 leaders in special teams tackles during his playing career.
 
Tramain Thomas 
Defensive Backs/Safeties Coach
Thomas comes to Conway as defensive backs and safeties coach after a successful stretch coaching the secondary at Missouri State. During his first three seasons coaching cornerbacks with the Bears, Thomas helped develop two All-American performers while his units consistently contributed to strong pass defense and takeaway production, with multiple players earning all-conference recognition. In 2024, the Bears secondary helped the squad post 12 interceptions, 20 takeaways, and secure the 21st-best turnover margin (+0.58) in the country. In 2023, Missouri State's defense recorded 14 takeaways, 41 points off turnovers, 60 passes defended, and 17 sacks, while holding opponents under 400 total yards three times over the last six games. Free safety Todric McGee earned second-team All-MVFC honors with 102 total stops, and strong safety P.J. Hall was third on the team in total stops with 62, both starting all 11 games.

Thomas brings elite playing experience to the role, having been a two-time All-SEC defensive back at Arkansas and earning All-America honors during his collegiate career. His coaching background also includes stops at Louisville, Oklahoma Baptist, and Midwestern State, providing a broad foundation in defensive back development across multiple systems and competitive levels.

Chris Franklin 
Defensive Backs/Corners Coach
Franklin joins the Chanticleers as defensive backs and cornerbacks coach after coaching cornerbacks at Missouri State, where his unit played a key role in the Bears' defensive production through takeaways, pass breakups, and disciplined coverage. His debut in Springfield for the 2024 season featured a veteran position group that helped Missouri State post 12 interceptions, 20 takeaways, and the 21st-best turnover margin (+0.58) in the country. He also coached MVFC All-Newcomer Team corner Kaleno Levine.

Prior to Missouri State, Franklin coached at Eastern Kentucky University and served in defensive quality control roles at Western Kentucky, contributing to nationally recognized defensive performances. He also coached defensive backs and punt return units at Arkansas Tech, where he helped develop all-conference level performers. A former standout defensive back at Western Kentucky, Franklin brings strong technical knowledge and a proven approach to cornerback development.