A pair of new candidates have emerged in the Coastal Carolina coaching search that has drawn coast-to-coast interest.

Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Coastal Carolina concluded its final round of interviews Wednesday morning and is targeting a final decision in the next 24 hours.

In addition to Coastal Carolina in recent weeks speaking with Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, Missouri State head coach Ryan Beard and also vetting Navy offensive coordinator Drew Cronic, the new figures to emerge in the search in recent days include former Washington State head coach Nick Rolovich and current Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.

Sources indicated to FootballScoop that Dawson, who also was a central figure in Tulane’s coaching search to replace outgoing Jon Sumrall, was asked to interview and spoke with Coastal Carolina’s contingent in the past 24 hours.

Rolovich, sources told FootballScoop, emerged later in the process at Coastal Carolina and also has been in the mix for the Sacramento State head coaching vacancy following the departure after one year of Brennon Marion. 

He won 18 games in his final two seasons at Hawaii before he accepted the job atop the Washington State Cougars program. There, he had compiled a 5-6 mark in less than two full seasons when the school fired Rolovich for his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine due to personal beliefs. 

This past season, Rolovich was a senior advisor for the Cal Golden Bears under Justin Wilcox and has been elevated into the role of interim coach for the program’s upcoming Hawaii Bowl appearance opposite Rolovich’s alma mater, Hawaii.

Riley has spoken with Coastal Carolina’s contingent multiple times in the process, several sources told FootballScoop, and as reported earlier this week, multiple sources told FootballScoop that “He (Riley) is deep in it” for the Chanticleers top job.

Dawson has surged as a head coaching candidate for his work directing the Miami Hurricanes offense. Last year he helped Cam Ward earn Heisman Trophy finalist honors en route to Ward becoming the top overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.

This year, Dawson’s Hurricanes offense has helped fuel the team’s surge into the College Football Playoff as its No. 10 seed. Dawson’s work with Georgia transfer-quarterback Carson Beck has been notable as he’s helped Beck to slightly cut down on his turnovers with 10 interceptions this season after Beck tossed 12 a year ago; Beck also has completed a career-best 75% of his passes, up 10% from last year at Georgia. 

Coastal Carolina fired Tim Beck after just three seasons during which Beck led the program to three consecutive bowl appearances. But after an eight-win debut campaign in 2023 as the successor to Jamey Chadwell after Chadwell turned his record success at the school into the head job at Liberty, Beck’s teams lost 13 games the past two seasons and finished just 20-18 under his guidance.