South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer didn't dance around the moment on Friday morning in his press conference as the Gamecocks officially introduced its new offensive line coaches. “Today is absolutely a great day for South Carolina football,” Beamer said, referring to the hires as "fantastic men, fantastic coaches." The press conference marked the formal arrival of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, offensive line coach Randy “Clem” Clements, and running backs coach Stan Drayton, all hires Beamer framed as deliberate responses to a season that fell short of expectations.
New Offensive Staff Sets Clear Expectations for South Carolina Football
Beamer opened the press conference by acknowledging the weight of the changes, noting that 15 players will graduate next week and that staff turnover never comes easily. “You have to make tough decisions that negatively impact people you care about,” Beamer said, adding that he wishes the departed assistants nothing but success.
Those decisions on changes to the coaching staff, however, were made with a specific vision in mind for the 2026 season, particularly on offense. “We fell short of expectations in ’25,” Beamer said. “A lot of people pointed at that and said the offense fell short of expectations.
Why Kendal Briles
Beamer made it clear that South Carolina was not looking for an offensive coordinator to learn on the fly. He needed experience. “This wasn’t a job for on-the-job training,” Beamer said. “We wanted someone who had done it before and had been successful doing it.”
According to Beamer, Kendal Briles' track record stood out, specifically in areas where the Gamecocks have failed. “We’ve got to do a better job protecting the quarterback and being explosive,” Beamer said. “Kendal’s offenses have done that.”
Briles expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and said he was clearly excited to return to the SEC. He also revealed that Beamer had consulted with Rocket Sanders during the evaluation process to gauge fit of the new OC.
A Unified Offensive Vision
One consistent theme throughout the press conference was alignment, especially between Briles and Clements. Beamer said that Briles was adamant about bringing Clements with him as offensive line coach. Though Beamer didn’t previously know Clements well, conversations with longtime coach Mack Brown sealed the decision.
Clements, who said he goes by “Clem,” emphasized competition and evaluation upon arrival. “I want to come in with a fresh mindset, give everybody a chance to prove themselves, and see where everybody fits,” Clements said.
Stan Drayton’s Return to Columbia
Beamer said he’s been looking for a RB coach like Stan Drayton since the day he took the South Carolina job back in 2020. The two worked together at Mississippi State in 2004, and Beamer called Drayton the kind of running backs coach he’s long wanted on his staff.
Drayton described returning to Columbia as “eerie,” recalling a previous visit with Florida for a night game. “I remember how loud it gets here,” Drayton said. “Football has raised our family in a lot of ways.”
Drayton will remain with Penn State through the Pinstripe Bowl before officially transitioning to South Carolina, however. Briles and Clements will not be with the Frogs for the Alamo Bowl.
All Eyes on LaNorris Sellers
Briles addressed the quarterback situation head-on, particularly the future of LaNorris Sellers. “I’m probably not 100% in the loop on what’s going on with LaNorris,” Briles said. “He’s going to make a decision. I feel confident he’s going to be back here.”
Briles also expressed that he’s already spoken with Sellers and made his intentions clear. “We’re going to build the offense around him and do the things that he’s really good at,” Briles said.
Briles also noted that he watched the 2025 offense closely after the deal became official, seeing plenty of talent that simply needs refinement. “There are some really talented guys,” Briles said. “We’ve just got to fine-tune it a little bit.”
Bottom Line
The expectations are now public, the spotlight firmly on the offense, and the timeline unmistakably clear. South Carolina’s new offensive era is officially underway, and there is no grace period attached.