Paul Finebaum said he cringes, at times, when fans openly campaign for a coach to get a job like the Gamecock faithful did at South Carolina for Shane Beamer.

“But they were right, this time,” Finebaum said on “McElroy and Cubelic In the morning” on WJOX out of Birmingham, Alabama. “I don’t know where I’ve seen a better combination of fit of coach and fan base all melding. I know the (Josh) Heupel conversation has gone on and we all know and agree that he’s worked wonders there and it’s primarily because he’s smart. He doesn’t have the personality of a Shane Beamer, but Shane Beamer is just a natural.”

Finebaum’s comments came after Cole Cubelic said he was surprised how good of a fit Beamer might end up being in Columbia. Cubelic said the crowd turnout, effort from the players and overall atmosphere was positive on Saturday at the Garnet and Black game. Cubelic said the players were interested in playing and that’s not the case at every spring game.

Finebaum recalled how the South Carolina program looked at the beginning of the Beamer era, and how he’s lured recruits and transfers like Spencer Rattler to the Gamecocks.

“He has just lit that place up, and it is infectious and it is working,” Finebaum said.

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.