COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) – South Carolina formalized this by hiring former assistant Shane Beamer as head coach.
Beamer, 43, arrived on campus on Sunday along with athletic director Ray Tanner and joined the team after finishing more than three seasons as an assistant head coach and goal coach in Oklahoma.
The son of Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer replaces Will Muschamp, who fired last month with three games to play in the season.
The Gamecocks (2-8) finished their season with a sixth direct loss, 41-18 in Kentucky on Saturday. Soon after, word spread that Beamer South Carolina’s selection to upgrade Muschamp.
Tanner, AD since 2012, Beamer is the “perfect fit” to lead the Gamecocks, who have a 6-16 record and a 5-15 record in the Southeast Conference in the subsequent two seasons.
“The energy, enthusiasm, commitment and inclination of I Shane for our school and program will be welcomed through our students-athletes, staff and fans,” Tanner said in a statement.
Beamer spent four seasons as an assistant to South Carolina under Steve Spurrier from 2007 to 2010. He has been recruiting coordinator for more than 3 seasons, helping fashion groups that won the SEC East Division in 2010 and earned 11-2 years from 2011 to 2013. .
Beamer also worked for his father at Virginia Tech, Kirby Smart in Georgia and, for more than 3 seasons, Lincoln Riley in Oklahoma. With the Sooners, Beamer has worked with those who have achieved the last three school football playoffs.
Charleston-born Beamer said he was pleased to be entering the construction of $50 million football operations that a cake dreamed of in the sky when he left after the 2010 season.
He now has the resources of an SEC program as he tries to return to winning tactics as the Gamecocks did when he was here ten years ago.
“I’ve been preparing for this moment of my whole life, ” said Beamer. “I’m in a position and excited” to lead the Gamecocks.
Tanner said he, university president Robert Caslen and athletic administrator Chance Miller, have spoken to several qualified coaches, but “Shane’s candidacy has set the bar very high,” he said.
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