On July 15, ESPN published an article in which its college football reporters voted on the Top 30 active head coaches currently in the FBS. The article highlighted the best college head coaches, categorizing them by tenure as either one to three years or over four years. Some of the names on the list made sense; however, there were some towards the bottom of the left that were more head scratchers than anything.
That said, one name in particular was left off of the list, South Carolina Gamecocks' head coach Shane Beamer. Beamer is coming off of a nine-win season that saw the team win five SEC conference games. Furthermore, the Gamecocks in 2024 won the Mayor Cup against the Missouri Tigers, and the Palmetto Bowl versus the Clemson Tigers. However, it seemed like that was not enough for the head coach who has a 29-22 record after four seasons in Columbia.
When looking at the ESPN Top 30 active coaches list, there are some coaches who Beamer should be ahead of when it comes to this "list". Greg Schiano of Rutgers is on the list despite having a 94-101 record (.482 win%) in two stints with the Scarlet Knights. He was ranked 21st, even with a current 26-34 record since returning in 2020. He's 16-29 in the Big 10 since his return, and it makes people wonder why that gives him the spot he is at, according to ESPN's college reporters.
Another name, Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Over his nine-year coaching career in the FBS, he has a 59-56 record (.513 win%) with Temple Owls, Baylor Bears, and the Cornhuskers. Even then, he has a 12-13 record in two seasons with the Cornhuskers following a 19-20 stint with the Bears in three seasons. He was voted 30th by ESPN. Rhule has a bowl record of 2-3 in nine years compared to Schiano's 6-3 and Beamer's 1-2.
The final coach to mention that Beamer should be ahead is Mark Stoops of Kentucky. In 12 seasons of coaching, Stoops only has a 77-73 record (.513 win%) and is 4-4 in bowl games. Stoops has gone 7-6, 7-6, and 4-8 over the last three seasons with the Wildcats. Compared to Beamer, no reason he should be above him ranked 23.
Despite the 1-2 bowl record, Beamer has had a more successful career at South Carolina in his first four seasons compared to other head coaches. He has one more win in his first four seasons with the Gamecocks than Steve Spurrier, who is the winningest coach at Carolina. Furthermore, he even turned around a program by 3.5 wins following a tough 2-8 record in 2020. Beamer went 7-6 in his first year. Beamer's 29-22 record gives him a .569 win% following a 7-5, 8-5, 5-7, and 9-4 seasons. If this list is based on what coaches have done in their tenures and have the best chances to succeed in 2025, Beamer should be there. Especially when Beamer and his staff are on an unreal recruiting run for the Gamecocks.
Even in the most recent SEC coaches' ranking, Beamer was ranked at No.8 . If there is someone who deserves more respect is Beamer. Beamer and the Gamecocks look to take the next step in 2025, and it should reflect on what's been built over his four-year tenure as he goes into season five.