Ryan Beard

Ryan Beard (born June 3, 1989) is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for Coastal Carolina University. He played college football at Western Kentucky and previously coached at Western Kentucky, Louisville, Northern Michigan, and Central Michigan. He was hired as the defensive coordinator at Missouri State in 2020 and was promoted to head coach before the 2023 season.

Early life and education A native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Beard attended Bowling Green High School where he played football for four seasons and helped them reach the Class 3A championship twice. He began playing college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in 2007 as a defensive back and was an all-freshman selection. Beard became a starter in 2008. He graduated following the 2011 season and has two degrees from Western Kentucky: a Bachelor of Science in business management and a Master of Science in recreation and sports administration. His career-high in tackles came as a junior in 2010, when he recorded 71.

Beard was to serve as Northern Michigan secondary coach in 2016, but left for Western Kentucky in July of that year. He served as their defensive backs coach for one season. In his first season in the position, he helped them set the school record for single-season sacks and reach the playoffs for the first time in 30 years. The next year, the Bears defense again broke the single-season sack record and they made the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

On December 11, 2025, after leading Missouri State to a 7–5 record in their first year in FBS, Beard was hired to become the head coach at Coastal Carolina, succeeding Tim Beck.

Personal life Beard is married to Katie, the daughter of Bobby Petrino, whom Beard succeeded as Missouri State head coach in 2023. As of 2022, they have four children together.

Head coaching record Left for Coastal Carolina prior to bowl game