{
  "id": 1901686,
  "title": "Liberty’s Chadwell eyes a Conference USA rebound after surgery and a 4-8 stumble",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/libertys-chadwell-eyes-a-conference-usa-rebound-after-surgery-and-a-4",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-19T09:11:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/uncategorized/2026/08/19/libertys-chadwell-eyes-a-conference-usa-rebound-after-surgery-and-a-4-8-stumble"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell is hopeful for a Conference USA rebound after a 4-8 season and surgery. Chadwell, who underwent a medical procedure in January, claims he feels his best since his first season with the Flames in 2023. The Flames started 2025 as heavy favorites to win the title but struggled, losing four games by double digits and four more by a touchdown or less. Chadwell admitted last year was not what he envisioned as the Flames aimed for the league championship. Liberty will now compete against four different champions in a now 10-team league following the departures of Louisiana Tech and UTEP. Kennesaw State, the 2023 champions, will seek to repeat their success. Quarterback Nick Minicucci, who helped Delaware go 7-6 last season, will aid the Hens in their second FBS season. Missouri State's new coach, Casey Woods, previously served as SMU's offensive coordinator when the Mustangs beat Missouri State. Woods inherits a program that went 7-6 last season, hiring away coach Ryan Beard to Coastal Carolina. Middle Tennessee's Derek Mason, returning for his third season, aims to boost his team with first recruit quarterback Roman Gagliano.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell aims for Conference USA rebound after 4-8 season and surgery.",
    "Flames started 2025 season as heavy favorites but struggled with double-digit losses.",
    "Quarterback Nick Minicucci joins Liberty for their second FBS season."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}