Shane Beamer finds his name on yet another Coach of the Year award finalist list

It has officially been announced that South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has been named a finalist for the Dodd Coach of the Year Trophy. This honor adds to Beamer already being named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award as well.

If Beamer were to win either one of these awards, they would be added to his SEC Coach of the Year Award and AP Coach of the Year Awards that he has already been honored with. Beamer is a finalist with other great coaches such as Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham, Oregon's Dan Lanning, Army's Jeff Monken, and Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman.

Beamer is one of the two coaches on that list who was unable to get his team to the College Football Playoff, but it was not for lack of trying. South Carolina finished the season 9-3 after playing seven ranked opponents this season, losing to three but finding wins against four of them.

Beamer did what he does best and led his team to a great finish on the season, leading the team to a six-game win streak with big wins against Texas A&M, Missouri, and Clemson. South Carolina has the satisfaction of knowing that even though Clemson made it to the College Football Playoff, it was not because they beat South Carolina, but merely got lucky with a spot in the ACC Championship.

The fourth-year head coach also made South Carolina history by passing legendary coach Steve Spurrier for most wins in the first four seasons with the Gamecocks with 29 wins. Beamer also led South Carolina to just their fifth nine-win season in Gamecock history. South Carolina's four wins against ranked opponents also set a program record, yet another feather in Beamer's cap.

Beamer will be seen next on the sideline in Orlando, Florida, in Camping World Stadium as the Gamecocks will take on No. 20 Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31, 2024.