The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees has approved a contract extension for head football coach Shane Beamer, keeping him at the helm through the 2030 season, the university announced today.
Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati praised Beamer for the strong culture he’s built, noting that the Gamecocks are on a promising upward trajectory. “Coach Beamer’s commitment to excellence has clearly set us on the right path,” Donati said. “This extension reflects our full support of him as the leader of our football program.”
Beamer, who holds a 29-22 record, has had the most successful start of any Gamecocks coach, surpassing Steve Spurrier in wins through his first four seasons. He’s also secured wins over three national championship-winning coaches—Jimbo Fisher, Dabo Swinney, and Mack Brown—and led the Gamecocks to three bowl games in four years.
Beamer’s 2024 team was his best yet, finishing 9-4, including a 5-3 mark in the SEC. The Gamecocks set a school record with four wins over ranked opponents, including three in a row to close out the regular season with a six-game winning streak. The team finished 19th in both the final Associated Press and Coaches polls, its highest ranking since 2013.
Beamer’s efforts were widely recognized, as he earned SEC Coach of the Year honors from the AP, USA TODAY, and College Football Nation. He was also a finalist for multiple National Coach of the Year awards.
Individually, defensive standout Kyle Kennard became the first Gamecock to win the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors, and multiple players, including Kennard, earned All-America honors, giving USC six All-Americans in 2024—the most of any FBS school that year.
Beamer expressed his gratitude for the support he’s received. “I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and lead this program,” he said. “Thank you to President Amirides, Thad Westbrook, the Board of Trustees, Ray Tanner, and Jeremiah Donati for their trust and support. This is my dream job, and my family and I love being here. We’ve accomplished a lot, but there’s more to do. We’re just getting started.”
Looking ahead, Beamer’s Gamecocks, led by Heisman hopeful LaNorris Sellers, are expected to be a preseason top-25 team heading into the 2025 season. The Gamecocks will kick off the 2025 campaign against Virginia Tech on August 31 in Atlanta’s Mercedes
-Benz Stadium.
