Apparently, it's silly season in Columbia. Social media spent the past few days spinning a tall tale that South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer and defensive coordinator Clayton White had to be "separated" during a supposed blow up between them. It spread fast, fanned by some fan frustration, and the college football world's habit of turning message board and social media posts into wildfire. By the press conference on Tuesday, the Gamecock coaching staff decided to snuff the rumors out themselves, with a little humor.
It all started with a post that read like satire.
Cameron Smith (@DeputySmitty):“Shane & Clayton had to be separated today? lol. No way this true.. right? 😂 #welcomehome”
Then came the clarifier, the adult in the room:
Jordan Kaye (@jordankaye_23):“Just to clear this up: This is completely false. There was absolutely nothing that happened between Clayton White and Shane Beamer yesterday. Any rumors that they had to be ‘separated’ are BS.”
And because the universe, and the coaching staff, has a sense of humor, David Cloniger walked into the chat with the perfect visual:
David Cloninger (@DCPandC):“Clayton White just popped into the media room.
Held up one fist and smiled.
IYKYK.”
Tuesday's press conference turned the rumor into a punchline, which is the best way to handle that kind of nonsense. Beamer walked in and opened with: “Sorry I’m late. Clayton and I had to finish our fight.”
Then he shut the door on the nonsense: “That rumor was totally false.”
Once the joking was over, Beamer got serious, and this is where the tone shifted from rumor control to program direction. He spoke about the fan environment in the stadium, “I know it’ll be a great environment in Williams-Brice Stadium. I get it. Nobody’s happy about where we are from a record standpoint.” Beamer acknowledged the reality of how fans feel without flinching.
He also talked about the team's reaction after the Texas A&M collapse in College Station, saying that he was proud of how the team responded, "They responded like I knew they would.”
On where he believes the program will be next season, Beamer said, "I do know next year at this time, we’re going to be sitting here on this Tuesday night, watching the playoff rankings to see where we are.” Beamer is betting on growth, retention, and the portal, not a roster overhaul heading into next season. “We just need to strengthen the roster. It’s not like we need to go sign 40 portal guys and flip this roster.”
While social media continues to spiral, the staff is steady. While outsiders tweet chaos, Beamer is talking playoff aspirations. And whether fans roll their eyes or lean in, the Gamecocks aren't done.