South Carolina's offense has struggled in recent seasons, and 2025 under former Gamecocks offensive coordinator Mike Shula was no exception. After a devastating season that saw the Gamecocks fail to find consistency and explosiveness, fans are eager and cautious to see what a new offensive direction could look like. Especially if head coach Shane Beamer can land Kendal Briles and Jimmy Smith and hand them the offensive reins in 2026.
2025 Under Mike Shula: Struggles Across the Board
Shula's first full season as OC in Columbia failed to produce the results Gamecock fans were hoping for. The 2025 offense posted some of the lowest and most embarrassing numbers in the SEC:
- Points per game: 22.7
- Total offensive yards per game: 336.3
- Passing yards per game: 225.3
- Third-down efficiency: 51-160 (31.88%)
- Fourth-down efficiency: 16-32 (50%)
The Gamecocks struggled to sustain drives or finish in the red zone. The combination of inconsistent QB play, limited production from skill positions, and schematic issues contributed to an offense that never seemed to click.
Enter Briles + Smith
If Shane Beamer finalizes the hire of TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, along with his trusted collaborator Jimmy Smith, South Carolina could see a dramatic turnaround.
Bries has a track record of revitalizing offenses. At TCU, in just two seasons, his units have been among the nation's most efficient, ranking eighth in passing yards, third in fourth down conversions, and 13th in red-zone efficiency in 2024. Briles' offenses emphasize balance. At Arkansas in 2022, the team ranked seventh nationally in rushing and 15th in total offense, one of only three FBS teams to average more than 230 yards in both rushing and passing per game.
Jimmy Smith, who worked directly with Briles at Arkansas and joined him at TCU in 2024, is known as an elite developer of running backs and a coach who can maximize a team’s rushing attack. Under Smith in 2022, Arkansas rushed for 3,077 yards (236.7 per game, 7th nationally) and recorded the eighth-most rushing yards in school history. He’s proven success both at the collegiate level and as a high school coach, combining quick play-calling decisions with strategic player development.
Projected 2026 Offensive Metrics
Based on Briles' and Smith's previous success, the 2026 season for the Gamecocks could realistically look like this:
- Points per game: 28-32
- Total offensive yards per game: 400-440
- Passing yards per game: 250-270
- Third-down efficiency: 40-43%
- Fourth-down efficiency: 60-65%
The run‑heavy, tempo‑driven offense that Briles and his staff use could be a huge change for South Carolina’s attack, which would be a major step up from 2025 under Mike Shula. Under Briles the plan would improve every facet of the offense: passing, rushing, scoring, and efficiency. The Gamecocks would get a balanced attack capable of sustaining drives, converting third downs and competing in a brutal SEC schedule.
The Difference a Coaching Duo Can Make
Shula’s 2025 offense struggled to move the ball consistently, scored below 23 points per game, and posted near-bottom numbers in total yards and situational efficiency. Briles’ and Smith’s proven approach of emphasizing balance, explosiveness, and player development could transform the Gamecocks from an underperforming offense into one capable of competing at a high level in the SEC, and possibly beyond.
For South Carolina, the 2026 season isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about proving that an offensive overhaul, led by coaches with a track record of turning programs around, can breathe new life into a team and a fan base desperate for change.