In a recent breakdown of the head coaches of the SEC, USA Today Sports contributor Blake Toppmeyer sparked a little controversy with his rankings, placing South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer at No. 8. But is this where he belongs in the list?
Of course, the top of the list is predicatble:
- No. 1: Kirby Smart (Georgia)- Two national titles and a 53-5 record over four seasons.
- No. 2: Steve Sarkisian (Texas)-Back-to-back CFP appearances and elite recruiting
After the top two, the list might get a little interesting with Brian Kelly at No. 3, Kalen DeBoer at No. 4, Lane Kiffin at No. 5, Josh Heupel at No. 6, and Eliah Drinkwitz at No. 7 all round out the top seven.
Then comes Beamer at No. 8.
At face value, it seems fair enough, but let's break down why he should be ranked higher.
What Shane Beamer has accomplished at South Carolina:
- Beat Clemson twice in three seasons, it's a good feeling Gamecock Nation hasn't had since the Spurrier days.
- Delivered high-profile portal wins, with continuous recruiting wins. Beamer is one of the most relatable recruiters in college football.
- Raised the program's presence on the national stage, which is no small feat for a program who everyone seems to ignore.
While Shane Beamer's No. 8 spot may be kind of an insult to some fans, it's more of a challege than anything. The SEC is stacked with top-tier talent on the sidelines, and the programs continue to climb the ladders. Now with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas, the competition just got stiffer. But given what Beamer has accomplished in his short time at South Carolina, it's worth asking: Is the rest of the country underestimating Shane Beamer?