Former QB Grayson McCall to coach Coastal Carolina after retiring from football at NC State

Former Coastal Carolina and NC State quarterback Grayson McCall has officially made the transition from player to coach.

The five-year Chanticleers starter who joined the Wolfpack last season as a transfer has joined Coastal’s coaching staff as an offensive analyst, the program announced this week.

He joins Tim Beck’s staff after spending the latter half of the 2024 season in a player-coach role. The program hinted at his return in two X posts Monday night, first of his mullet and then highlights from his Coastal Carolina career.

“So fired up to come back home,” McCall wrote in a post on X. “I’m very thankful for coach Beck and coach (Drew) Hollingshead for giving me such a great opportunity. Can’t wait to light up the scoreboard in Brooks (Stadium) just like old times!!!”

McCall retired from football in October after sustaining two concussions with N.C. State. The first took place late in the second quarter against Louisiana Tech on Sept. 14.

His second concussion came three weeks later, on Oct. 5 against Wake Forest. McCall made helmet-to-helmet contact with Demon Deacons defenders, losing his helmet and mouth guard. His head made contact with their helmets again as he fell to the ground. The hit briefly knocked McCall unconscious.

He announced his medical retirement on Oct. 24, during N.C. State’s bye week.

“As much as I love this game and everything it’s done for me, I can’t put myself through that again,” McCall told reporters in October. “It’s not worth it at the end of the day.”

McCall said he wanted to have a “full life,” that includes getting married, having children and coaching other players.

“Without a healthy brain, none of those things are possible,” McCall said. “I love the game so much, but it’s come down to things bigger than that.”

Through the second half of the 2024 season, McCall remained with the team and served in a player-coach role. He helped guide freshman quarterback CJ Bailey as the rookie transitioned to college ball and the starting role.

Head coach Dave Doeren spoke highly of McCall’s leadership and future in the profession.

“He’s still a captain. He’s still leading,” Doeren said in October. “He’s helping CJ and Lex (Thomas) at meetings. At practice today, he was fantastic. He’s out there giving them advice, talking about what he sees. And he loves the game of football, he loves the brotherhood of football. He’s going to be really good, if that’s the path.”

McCall left the game as a highly-decorated player and one of the best in Chanticleers history. He is only player to earn Sun Belt Player of the Year three times and holds school records in total touchdowns (106), touchdown passes (88) and passing yards (10,005).

He appeared in four games at N.C. State, contributing 518 passing yards and three touchdowns.

McCall ended his career with 11,653 yards of total offense, 91 passing touchdowns and 18 rushing touchdowns.