The Coastal Carolina Way: No Kicks, All Conversions, and an Unstoppable Offense

Coastal Carolina’s 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular, but what stands out beyond their dazzling offensive numbers is the aggressive—and some would say, reckless—approach taken by their head coach, Jacob. His philosophy has turned heads across the college football landscape, and for good reason: Coastal is leading the nation in total offense with 7,858 yards. They rank third in passing with 5,920 yards and third in rushing with 1,938 yards, all while averaging a staggering 62.2 points per game.

But that’s not what has people talking. The real story is Coach Jacob’s complete disregard for kicking the football. In a sport traditionally reliant on field goals, extra points, and punting, Coach Jacob has gone rogue—eschewing kicks in favor of 4th-down conversions and two-point attempts. Coastal has gone for it on 4th down 51 times this season, converting 32 of those attempts, and they have attempted 71 two-point conversions, converting 55. To put that in perspective, James Madison, the second-highest team in two-point attempts, has only tried 11.

This approach isn’t just unprecedented, it’s game-changing.

"More Points Are Better Than Less"

When asked about his controversial strategy, Coach Jacob delivered a response that only he could:

"I’ve been blessed to learn from some of the brightest minds this country has to offer. The kind of people that create nuclear reactors. The kind of people that put humans in space. These people taught me a very important and secret lesson—more points are more than less points. Why kick an extra point when you could go for 2? That’s 100% more points. Why kick a field goal when you could try for a touchdown? That’s 133% more points. Why punt when you could go for it? That’s infinite% more points. Points win games, why would I want less of them?"

It’s a simple yet bold philosophy that has turned Coastal Carolina into the nation’s top offense and a Sun Belt powerhouse. But Coach Jacob’s thoughts on the traditional aspects of football—particularly special teams—don’t stop there.

"Also, the adage 'All good possessions end in a kick' is a lie that’s been pushed onto us by *Big Kick.* They WANT you to think kicks are good. Kicks are bad."

A Challenge for Opposing Coaches

Coastal Carolina’s relentless approach presents unique challenges for opposing coaches, who find themselves having to game plan for situations that traditional football simply doesn’t account for.

“Going up against Coastal feels like trying to defend against an alien offense,” said one anonymous Sun Belt coach. “Most teams prepare for three downs and then hope to force a punt. With Coastal, you know you have to stop them four times on almost every drive, and they’re not afraid to take chances.”

Another coach spoke to the frustration of facing Coastal: "It’s exhausting. It’s demoralizing. You make a big stop on 3rd down, and you’d normally expect to get off the field. But with Coastal, you’re still fighting, and it feels like they’re always on the attack."

Despite the frustrations, some coaches can't help but be impressed. "I’ll give Coach Jacob credit—he’s sticking to his guns," said one coach. "You have to admire the commitment to the philosophy. It’s innovative, and it’s different. It’s clearly working for them, but I wonder if it’s sustainable in the long run.”

One Sun Belt coach even marveled at the mental toll it takes on his players: “It’s a total mindset shift. Coastal's offense forces you to play perfect football for four downs every single time they get the ball. There’s no room for error, because if you give them an inch, they’ll go for it—and more often than not, they’ll get it.”

But while some coaches respect the boldness, others have their doubts: “It’s innovative, sure, but it’s also high-risk. Eventually, that’s going to catch up to you in tight games, especially in the postseason. The question isn’t if it’ll backfire—it’s when.”

Coach Jacob's Immediate Impact: 21-5 Record and Counting

While his philosophy of avoiding kicks may raise eyebrows, Coach Jacob has undeniably elevated the Coastal Carolina football program. Since taking over the reins in 2024, Jacob has led the Chanticleers to an impressive 21-5 record. In his first season, Coastal won 10 games, and they have already won 11 in 2025 with a chance to claim a 12th victory. Jacob has continued the winning tradition built by Jamey Chadwell, who posted a 31-6 record from 2020 to 2022, and Tim Beck, who led the team to an 8-5 season in 2023. However, despite this success, one goal has remained elusive: a Sun Belt Championship.

Jacob has maintained the program’s high standards, consistently fielding a dominant offense and piling up wins. But like his predecessors, he has yet to find the formula to capture a conference title. Coastal continues to come up short in the championship race, raising questions about whether Jacob's ultra-aggressive, all-or-nothing approach can ultimately deliver the Chanticleers the Sun Belt crown they crave.

The team’s consistency under Jacob’s leadership is evident, but the pressure to take the next step is mounting. Coastal Carolina has proven they can put up gaudy stats and blow out opponents, but can this philosophy lead them to a title? It's a question that fans and analysts are asking more frequently as the Chanticleers approach the postseason.

The Impact on Coastal’s Special Teams

Coach Jacob’s disdain for kicking has had a direct impact on Coastal Carolina’s special teams, relegating them to almost afterthoughts. Senior kicker Kade Hensley, who in most programs would be a central figure, has attempted just 11 field goals all season. Even more shocking, he’s only had 25 extra point attempts, as Coach Jacob insists on chasing two-point conversions every chance he gets.

The situation is similar for senior punter Mack West, who has been called upon just six times this entire season. His presence on the field has been so rare that some fans jokingly refer to him as a "myth," as if his very existence is in question.

Coastal’s aggression has paid off—more often than not, they convert on these risky plays, maintaining drives and putting points on the board in bunches. But when the gamble doesn’t work, it exposes the team to potential disaster. So far, however, it’s hard to argue with the results.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Coach Jacob’s offense is a machine, built on the principle that playing it safe is for losers. Coastal Carolina leads the country with 7,858 total yards. They are third in passing yards with 5,920 and third in rushing yards with 1,938. They’ve attempted more two-point conversions than the bottom 64 teams combined. These numbers are ridiculous by any standard, yet they’ve become the norm for Coach Jacob’s Chanticleers.

And with these aggressive tactics, Coastal is averaging 62.2 points per game—by far the most in college football.

But with all this success comes a lingering question: What happens when the gamble doesn't pay off? So far, Coastal Carolina has managed to stay ahead of the curve. But as the season draws to a close and bigger games loom on the horizon, the question of whether Coach Jacob's high-stakes approach can continue to succeed is one everyone will be watching.

Unapologetic to the End

For now, Coach Jacob remains unapologetic. In his view, the key to winning football games is simple: more points.

"Why would I want less points?" Coach Jacob said with a grin. "I’ve got the best offense in the country, and we’re going to keep doing what we do best—putting points on the board."

As the Chanticleers march toward the postseason, Coach Jacob’s radical approach may face its toughest tests yet. But one thing is for sure: Coastal Carolina is a team that refuses to kick its way to victory. Instead, they’re going to fight tooth and nail, go for it on every down, and take as many two-point conversions as they can—all in the name of *more points.*