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Shane Beamer Coaching History & Bio
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| Shane Beamer Teams Coached | Years Coached | Shane Beamer Coaching Record |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 2021-present | 29-22 (15-17 SEC) |
- 2000: Georgia Tech — Graduate assistant
- 2001-2003: Tennessee — Graduate assistant
- 2004-05: Mississippi State — Cornerbacks coach/recruiting coordinator
- 2006: Mississippi State – Running backs coach/recruiting coordinator
- 2007: South Carolina — Outside linebackers coach/co-special teams coordinator
- 2008: South Carolina — Cornerbacks coach
- 2009-10: South Carolina — Safeties coach/special teams coordinator/recruiting coordinator
- 2011-2015: Virginia Tech — Associate head coach/running backs coach
- 2016-17: Georgia — Tight ends coach/special teams coordinator
- 2018-20: Oklahoma — Assistant head coach/tight ends coach
- 2021-present: South Carolina — Head coach
Shane Beamer Coaching History
Shane Beamer is entering his fourth season as South Carolina’s head coach after taking over for Will Muschamp.
Beamer wasted no time in turning South Carolina football around. He exceeded South Carolina’s combined win totals from 2019 and 2020 (6) in his first season, finishing with a 7-6 record. That included a Mayo Bowl victory over North Carolina. He followed it up with another strong season in 2022, finishing 8-5 with back-to-back top-10 wins over Tennessee and Clemson.
Beamer developed a strong defense and took after his father with some Beamerball special teams/defensive magic. However, the catalyst for South Carolina’s late season success in 2022 was quarterback Spencer Rattler, who found another gear against Tennessee in the penultimate game of the regular season. South Carolina scored 63 points on the Vols, never having to punt in as shocking of a victory college football saw all season.
But so what, right? The Vols were not at their best and Rattler got hot. It was a fluke, at least according to some national outlets, fans on social media and so on. Beamer proved that narrative incorrect a week later against Clemson.
South Carolina vs. Clemson is one of the more underrated rivalries in college sports. These schools do not like each other and have a fairly competitive history, with Clemson holding a 68-41-4 record all-time. But the Tigers had South Carolina’s number heading into 2022: Clemson had won 7 straight and, with a College Football Playoff berth on the line, were heavy favorites to make it 8. Instead, South Carolina won 31-30 at Clemson.
That’s a big deal in Columbia, folks. As is a combined head coaching record of 15-11 after the Gamecocks went 2-8 in 2020. Now, it’s time for Beamer and South Carolina to take that next step.
It’s no wonder Beamer has proven to be one of the better young coaches in college football. He’s the son of iconic Virginia Tech and Murray State head coach Frank Beamer, who was recently elected into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Shane Beamer, naturally, started his football career at Virginia Tech as a walk-on receiver. He played long snapper for the 1999 Virginia Tech team that went to the national title game (yes, Shane Beamer was teammates with Michael Vick).
Beamer parlayed his playing career into a graduate assistant position at Georgia Tech and later Tennessee. He then accepted a role at Mississippi State as a cornerbacks coach and performed various duties at MSU and South Carolina until 2010, when he was hired by Virginia Tech as associate head coach. He made 2 more stops at Georgia and Oklahoma before being named South Carolina’s head coach in 2021.
Now, the Gamecocks are recruiting well, but 2024 will be an interesting year for Shane Beamer and his staff.
FAQs About Shane Beamer
What is Shane Beamer's Salary?
Under the terms of a recent contract extension, Beamer will be paid $8.15 million in 2025. The salary will go up by $100,000 each year through the life of the deal to a maximum of $8.65 million in 2030.
What is the Length of Shane Beamer's Contract?
On Jan. 24, 2025, South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved a contract extension that will keep Beamer with the Gamecocks for at least 5 more seasons, through 2030.
What is Shane Beamer's Buyout?
A public version of Beamer’s contract does not spell out what Beamer would be owed if he is fired without cause. The coach would be responsible to may $5 million in liquidated damages if he chooses to leave South Carolina in 2025, provided he gives the school 3 days written notice. That figure that decreases by $1 million each season for the life of the contract.
Who is Shane Beamer's Father?
Beamer is the son of Frank Beamer, the winningest coach in Virginia Tech history and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Frank Beamer’s 280 career wins (238 with the Hokies and 42 at Murray State) were the most of any active coach at the time of his retirement in 2015.
Why Does Shane Beamer Keep Jars of Candy on His Desk?
Beamer keeps the jars filled with Snickers, gum and other sweets, on his desk as incentive for his players to come to his office for personal conversations about their lives both in and outside of football. According to the Greenville News, each player is welcome to share what makes them the person they are upon grabbing a piece of candy.
Award-winning columnist Brett Friedlander has covered the ACC and college basketball since the 1980s.
