Coastal Carolina University Athletic Department Experiences Key Staffing Shakeup with Media Relations Change

Conway, South Carolina – Coastal Carolina Athletic Department Makes Key Staffing Change

In a surprising announcement just before the football game against Appalachian State on Thursday, November 7, 2024, Coastal Carolina University (CCU) announced that it is releasing Rixon Lane, the Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations. Lane publicly declared his departure via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, indicating that the upcoming game would mark his final event with the program.

“Working at CCU has been a dream come true,” Lane expressed in his message. “I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment I’ve spent as a Chanticleer.” Despite the heartfelt note, Lane declined to provide further comments when approached later for additional insight into his departure.

Background on Rixon Lane’s Tenure

Lane joined the CCU Athletic Department in the fall of 2023, stepping into the role after his predecessor, Kevin Davis, vacated the position to become the Senior Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since his arrival, Lane had established himself as a prominent figure in the department, focusing on enhancing the visibility and media presence of CCU sports.

When contacted for comments regarding Lane’s departure, Darrell Orand, the Assistant Director for Media Relations at CCU, stated, “We’re not going to comment. No more questions.” This terse response leaves many in the community speculating about the reasons behind Lane’s sudden exit.

Recent Departures in the Athletic Department

Rixon Lane’s departure is part of a broader trend of significant changes within the Coastal Carolina athletic program. Just weeks prior, on October 21, 2024, the football team also made headlines by firing its Offensive Coordinator, Travis Trickett. Trickett’s dismissal followed a disappointing performance against the University of Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, raising questions about the overall performance of the football program.

The recent turnover among key personnel has left fans, players, and staff grappling with uncertainty about the future direction of Coastal Carolina athletics. The abrupt changes come on the heels of a promising season and have sparked discussions about the impact on both the football team and media relations.

What Lies Ahead

With Rixon Lane’s departure effective immediately after the Mountaineer game, the CCU Athletic Department will need to quickly address how it will fill this critical vacancy. Fans of the Chanticleers are eager to see how this transition might affect the team’s communication strategy and overall public relations efforts as the season continues.

The upcoming game against Appalachian State marks not only a pivotal moment in the season for the football team but also a transition point for the media relations strategy moving forward. As Coastal Carolina University continues to navigate these changes, stakeholders will be looking closely at how the athletic department will respond.

Final Thoughts

While Rixon Lane’s work with the athletic department will end after the game on Thursday, his contributions during his tenure will not easily be forgotten. The future of CCU athletics hangs in a delicate balance as the university seeks to stabilize its staff while aiming for success both on and off the field.