Nine of 11 assistant coaches, including both coordinators, have previously coached at Missouri State with Beard, as have seven more employees in the areas of football administration, recruiting, and support staff, and two of three hirings to oversee the football strength and conditioning program.

“You get the question of why did he bring everybody from Missouri State?” Beard said. “We preach trust and loyalty to our players, and they helped us get this job that we’re currently sitting in. I don’t need higher named coaches, I need guys that I’ve won with, that I’ve grinded with, that I think do things at a high, high level.”

Transfers from Power Four programs include running backs Rodney Hill from Arkansas, Jaden Allen-Hendrix from Oklahoma State and Daelen Alexander from Rice, safety Tyler Woodard from Mississippi State, linebacker Marcellius Pulliam from Michigan State, and defensive end Chandavian Bradley from Oklahoma State.

Losses and retentions

Notable CCU entries into the portal include numerous starters.

Both of CCU’s starting offensive tackles in 2025 entered the portal in redshirt junior Nick Del Grande and junior Joe Hanson, who have both earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors over their time at CCU. Del Grande signed with Duke and Hanson with Oklahoma State, according to 247Sports.

Junior receiver Bryson Graves of Florence, who led CCU in catches and receiving yards last season, committed to Delaware, while 2025 leading rusher Ja’Vin Simpkins committed to UAB.

According to 247Sports, defensive end Zeke Campbell committed to West Virginia, defensive lineman Jordan Mack committed to Baylor, defensive lineman Darrion Henry-Young committed to Virginia, cornerback Zach Cody committed to Rice, edge rusher Jayden Bryant committed to Kansas State, defensive lineman Tyler Moore committed to Colorado, and offensive lineman Julius Tate committed to South Florida, and starting safety Avyonne Jones committed to Stephen F. Austin.