Former CCU running back Henderson talks Moglia, new opportunity with Jets

On Friday, Jan. 18, Joe Moglia stepped down as the head football coach at Coastal Carolina after seven seasons at the helm. Offensive Coordinator and former Charleston Southern Head Coach Jamey Chadwell was immediately announced as the successor to Moglia.

“We all believe that the future is bright for Coastal Carolina football,” said Moglia in a statement released by GoCCUSports.com. “We also have tremendous confidence in Coach Chadwell as well as the rest of the staff.”

The news came as a shock to many in the Coastal Carolina community, including several former players like running back De’Angelo Henderson. Henderson played at Coastal Carolina from 2013 to 2016 and holds numerous Coastal Carolina records including rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, points scored and touchdowns scored.

Henderson opened up about what went through his mind when he found out that Coach Moglia was stepping down.

“When I heard the news, I was up and down with my emotions,” said Henderson. “I was shocked, filled with uncertainty and curious to see what was about to happen next. I didn’t really know the direction that the [program] was going to go.”

Henderson reflected a bit more on his time with Moglia as his coach and said it was hard to select the best memory he had of him.

“The way that Moglia came into the program I think tops everything,” said Henderson. “Our first meeting with him in 2012 just sticks with me because he came in with such confidence, a plan and a goal. And we achieved that.”

Moglia went 56-22 as the Chanticleers head coach, winning three Big South Championships.

Despite Chadwell’s lone season as the head coach of an FBS program was in 2017 when he was the interim head coach, Henderson says that Chadwell’s resume at Charleston Southern speaks for itself.

“I don’t think anyone could have done what he did at Charleston Southern,” said Henderson. “He took a team that only won five games in two years to winning championships in the Big South. The direction that I believe that Coastal Carolina is headed is in a good way.”

Chadwell went 35-14 during his four seasons at Charleston Southern, including besting the Chanticleers three out of four matchups.

While Henderson is looking forward to what the future has in store for Coastal Carolina, he is also looking ahead to see what his future has in store for him after a crazy 2018 for the former Chanticleer.

In May of 2018, Henderson was involved in an automobile crash. A driver t-boned Henderson, causing his vehicle to flip and roll. Over six months later, Henderson still is thankful for making it out without a scratch.

“That accident was one of the most traumatizing things I have ever been a part of,” said Henderson. “It jammed me up a little bit. I had to seek out some people to talk to so I could get through it mentally. If there was anything I got from that wreck, it was to live honest and not take anything for granted. It is a blessing to wake up each day because you never know when your number is going to be called.”

A week after the accident, Henderson managed to get through Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) and solidify his spot on the Denver Broncos for the 2018 season. However, the Broncos waived Henderson on Sep. 1, 2018.

Two days later, Henderson was signed to the practice squad of the New York Jets. He was promoted to the active roster on Oct. 27, 2018 and despite being waived on Nov. 2, Henderson was resigned to the practice squad and was promoted to the active roster for the final three weeks of the season.

The Jets finished the 2018 season 4-12, going 1-9 in the final 10 games of the season. The bad end to 2018 prompted the Jets to find new leadership.

On Jan. 11, 2019, the Jets hired Adam Gase as their new head coach and a few weeks later, the Jets brought on former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter as the new running back coach.

“Adam Gase is a young, innovative head coach,” said Henderson. “Everybody I know that has played under him had great things to say about him. I am excited to get into the system. I am really excited to get into the offense and show what I can do.”

Henderson says that he feels that “he has great opportunity to impress guys” and “start fresh”.

“I know I can do some great things in that system,” said Henderson.