Josh Heupel, Shane Beamer named co-winners of Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award

Josh Heupel and Shane Beamer both had impressive first seasons at Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively.

Beamer surprised almost everyone by leading the Gamecocks to a 6-6 regular-season record and improving to 7-6 with a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory.

Meanwhile, Heupel’s Vols went 7-5 in the regular-season before falling to 7-6 with a Music City Bowl loss.

On Monday night, they were named co-winners of the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award:

Wasted no time in Year 1.@coachjoshheupel has been named the co-winner of the ????? ???????? ?????-???? ????? ?????, presented by @TheFWAA.

Details » https://t.co/WUHYf15QEw pic.twitter.com/sMK7tN7PKp

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) January 18, 2022

When it all comes together, it paints a brilliant picture.

Congratulations, @CoachSBeamer!

(8/8) pic.twitter.com/U9nYh1waL6

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) January 18, 2022

Spurrier announced the winners of the award virtually, praising the work Beamer and Heupel did to exceed expectations:

“Well there are two coaches this year because they are both very deserving,” Spurrier said, via a press release. “Preseason, their teams were picked next to Vandy at the bottom of the league, 12 and 13, but instead of gloom and doom they took their players and improved every game and both finished 7-6.”

Brian Kelly and Billy Napier are the new coaches in the SEC heading into the 2022 season. Will either of them win this award this time next year?

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.