Shane Beamer in company of Steve Spurrier with wins over ranked Tennessee, Florida teams
By Andrew Olson
Published:
For just the second time in program history, South Carolina has recorded wins over ranked Tennessee and Florida teams during the same season. That puts Shane Beamer in the company of his former boss, Steve Spurrier.
David Cloninger of The Post and Courier pointed out the fun factoid after Beamer’s Gamecocks knocked off No. 11 Tennessee in thrilling fashion.
Steve Spurrier and Shane Beamer are the only USC coaches to beat ranked Florida and Tennessee teams in the same season. Beamer is the only coach to do it when each were in the Top 20.
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) October 24, 2026
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After a rough start ot the 2026 season, South Carolina now has back-to-back wins over ranked opponents. Two weeks ago, the Gamecocks picked up their first SEC win of the season, knocking off then-No. 16 Florida 38-19 in Gainesville. After getting a bye week in Week 8, South Carolina defeated No. 11 Tennessee 27-24 on a walk-off field goal.
Back in 2005, Steve Spurrier’s squad defeated No. 23-ranked Tennessee 16-15 in Knoxville. Two weeks later, Spurrier’s Gamecocks spoiled a potential SEC Championship Game appearance for Florida, topping the Gators 30-22 in Columbia.
Aside from the ranked wins over old SEC East rivals, Spurrier and Beamer’s tenures have not had many other similarities. Spurrier coached South Carolina from 2005-15, posting an 86-49 record that included 3 consecutive 11-win seasons (2011-13). Beamer, who was an assistant on Spurrier’s staff from 2007-10, is 37-33 and yet to guide the Gamecocks to double-digit wins in any of his first 5 seasons.
The Gamecocks could deliver Beamer his first double-digit win season if they keep the momentum rolling to close out the 2026 campaign. Up next, South Carolina will travel to Oklahoma.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
