Virginia opts out of its last home game

Coastal Carolina offers support for grieving Cavaliers program

CONWAY, S.C. — What looked like a week of opportunity for No. 23 Coastal Carolina quickly became one of grief and unconditional support for the Virginia football team the Chanticleers were supposed to play Saturday.

That game was called off Wednesday as Virginia continued grieving their three football players killed last Sunday night by a former member of the Cavaliers.

“We play a great game,” Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell said Wednesday. “But it is a game.”

Chadwell has known Virginia coach Tony Elliott for years and told him earlier this week Coastal Carolina was 100% behind any decision by the Cavaliers.

“We continue to pray for their community, their university and, obviously, this is a difficult time they’re going through,” Chadwell said.

Coastal Carolina has been a Group of Five power in the Sun Belt Conference the past three seasons in only its sixth year in the the FBS.

The Chanticleers were ranked each of the previous two seasons, going 11-1 and 11-2. They finished No. 14 in the final 2020 rankings and won the program’s first bowl game this past December. Quarterback Grayson McCall, a fourth-year junior back this season, set an NCAA record for pass efficiency with a rating of 207.6 last season. Coastal Carolina (9-1) jumped into the Top 25 for the first time this season. That focus changed as soon as Coastal coaches and players learned of the Virginia tragedy.

Chadwell and his staff gathered their sad, confused players and gave them advice moving forward. They discussed potential reasons for the tragedy that took the lives of receivers Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler, and defensive end D’Sean Perry.

“We told them how precious life is,” Chadwell recalled. “One day, you’re on top of the world and the next day something terrible can happen.”

Chadwell knew Virginia’s Davis, recruiting him as a Chanticleers assistant. Chadwell said Davis had “a smile that would light up a room. He could see there was a bigger picture than just football.”

So, too, for Coastal Carolina’s players. They’ll regain their football focus over time.

“Try and make sure you make the most of every moment,” he said. “If you have any hate in your heart, any resentment you’re holding onto, you need to forgive and let go because you don’t know when you’ll get the opportunity.”