By Chris Lea & Brian Murphy, WRAL

Grayson McCall’s dream of being a coach is now coming true.

Monday, Coastal Carolina announced that the former NC State quarterback would be joining their football coaching staff for the 2025 season as an offensive analyst. McCall was a three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year during his time with the Chanticleers.

On October 5th, 2024, McCall suffered a concussion vs. Wake Forest from a nasty hit where his helmet flew off, which knocked him out. Soon after that game, McCall announced his retirement from playing the game of football.

“We kind of knew after the game,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren about the hit and subsequent retirement said back in October.

“If he had another one that that was probably it. And it was pretty quick. It was more a matter of the steps that he wanted to take and when he was ready to make it a public thing. It’s a big step to make that announcement and have to say those words, even though you know that it’s probably happening.”

McCall said it was in his “best interest to hang the cleats up” after consulting with brain specialists and his family.

McCall, who was lightly recruited out of Indian Trail, threw for more than 10,000 yards in his career which spanned parts of six seasons. He was a three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year at Coastal Carolina before transferring to NC State for the 2024 season.

McCall suffered a significant concussion that ended his 2023 season and was knocked out of two games this season, including Oct. 5 against Wake Forest when he took a violent hit. His helmet popped off and he was hit again in the head.

McCall left the field on a cart, was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a concussion. He left the hospital that night.

“As I feel like my whole world is being taken from me, I feel some sense of contentment,” McCall wrote on social media. “Every time my feet hit the grass, I left every single ounce of myself on that field. I always played my hardest and to the best of my ability because I never knew what play would be my last. I have no regrets throughout my career and that is something I can be proud of.”

Source: wralsportsfan.com