South Carolina football: Shane Beamer has backing of former players

One coaching candidate has the backing of former South Carolina football players.

South Carolina parted ways with head coach Will Muschamp less than a week ago, but still, we’ve seen an immediate outpouring of names connected to the new opening. Some of those names include former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, old Texans’ coach Bill O’Brien, Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, and a bevy of others.

But there’s one candidate that seems to have the backing of many former Gamecock players, and that’s Shane Beamer.

Stephen Garcia, Melvin Ingram, Tori Gurley, and more are coming out in support of hiring Beamer, a former Gamecock assistant and recruiting coordinator, as the new leader of the program. Beamer was with the Gamecocks from 2007-2010, helping lead South Carolina to its only SEC Championship game appearance.

Beamer is certainly an interesting candidate, as he’s been on staff with some of college football’s all time greats. Obviously, he worked for Steve Spurrier at the start of what would become South Carolina football’s best run in program history. He’s also coached for George O’Leary, Lincoln Riley, Kirby Smart, and his father, longtime Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer. He’s been around successful programs his entire career, and has experience in roles on offense, defense, special teams, and in recruiting.

The greatest flaw is his lack of head coaching experience. Beamer has had a chance to learn from some of college football’s greatest minds, but he’s yet to put that knowledge to the test. The move would definitely be a risk for South Carolina administration, especially after striking out on the last hire, but at least they’d have support from those inside the program if they were to make Beamer the head coach.

Beamer’s name continues to be associated with the opening, and there seems to be a mutual interest as the current Oklahoma assistant head coach enjoyed his last stint in Columbia. His name is also starting to gain steam for a Virginia Tech head coaching job that may be opening at the end of the year. If the Gamecocks were to make the move, they may need to do it soon.

Will South Carolina offer Beamer his first shot at a head coaching gig, or will they pass for a safer bet on someone like Billy Napier? Gamecock Nation could find that answer out sooner rather than later.