Getty Image
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is one of the top recruiters in all of college football.
The Gamecocks brought in the 18th-ranked class in the nation in 2023, led by five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor.
Beamer also already secured a commitment for 2024 five-star defensive end Dylan Stewart, who chose the Cocks over Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama among a host of others.
But there’s just one problem.
Beamer’s immense recruiting success has not translated to success on the field. The son of legendary Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer is in his third season at the helm in Columbia.
He had a successful first year, leading the Gamecocks to a 7-6 record and a victory in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl after a 2-8 record the year prior.
In year two, Beamer did one better. South Carolina and transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler went 8-5, including big wins over fifth-ranked Tennessee and rival Clemson, who was ranked No. 8 at the time, to close the regular season.
Despite a 45-38 loss to Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl, South Carolina fans entered the 2023 with as much optimism as they’ve had in a number of years.
It didn’t take long for the air to come flying out of the balloon, however.
The Gamecocks lost their opening game of the season to North Carolina, 31-17. After a win again Furman in Week 2, South Carolina took a 14-3 lead into the half against top-ranked Georgia in Week 3 before falling 24-14.
Week 4 proved to be another bounce back, with a 37-30 win over Mississippi State. But this past week may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
The Gamecocks were taken to task by 21st-ranked Tennessee in Knoxville to the tune of a 41-20 loss. The Vols racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense, including 238 yards rushing.
Following the loss, South Carolina fans took to the message boards to share their displeasure with Beamer.
#SouthCarolina fans are down bad. pic.twitter.com/Qy51BxArVv
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) October 2, 2023
“Is Beamer in over his head,” one fan asked. “He’s not making the right decisions with staff. He’s loyal to a fault with coaches and players. Our team is constantly unprepared. Maybe it’s true that he wasn’t ready to be a head coach.”
And that was on the nicer side of things.
“Just need more money and we can win, baby,” another fan joked. “Yeah right! Will always be a middle of the road of worse team.”
Beamer’s job is probably safe through the start of next season regardless of what happens in 2023. But if can’t turn his recruiting wins into on-field wins, things are going to get ugly.