When the dust settled on the South Carolina Gamecocks’ rollercoaster season, Shane Beamer had plenty of reasons to smile—and apparently so did SC’s board of trustees. Guiding his team to a 9-4 finish and narrowly missing the College Football Playoff, Beamer inked a “very blessed” three-year contract extension that includes a hefty $1.5 million raise. The payday not only secures his future in Columbia but also raises a provocative question: Is Beamer worth every penny of that $8.15 million annual salary? Depends on who you’re asking.
The University’s board made their position crystal clear on Friday, signing off on a $50.4 million contract extension that will keep Shane Beamer at the helm through 2030. After they won their final six regular-season games, with incremental raises of $100,000 every year. For Gamecock Nation, this was as much a reward as it was an investment in continuity. Yet, the skeptics didn’t hesitate to weigh in. “Is he worth $8 million?” pondered That SEC Podcast host Mike, pointing out that the son of long-time Virginia Tech HC Frank Beamer now shares the salary tier with Brent Venables. Only 8 coaches are ahead of him. “Hell, I’d rather have Beamer than Venables if they’re going to cost the same price.”
That’s a fair take when you consider the trajectory Shane Beamer has charted for the Gamecocks. From a middling 5-7 record in 2023 to a 9-4 campaign and back-to-back bowl appearances, his impact has been 29-22 overall. Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports echoed this sentiment, calling the extension “well deserved or well earned.”
Lassan pointed out that Beamer has not only delivered three winning seasons in four years but has also pushed South Carolina to the brink of playoff contention—a previously unthinkable feat. “He’s elevated this program,” Lassan noted, emphasizing that Beamer’s success goes beyond wins and losses.
Is Shane Beamer’s $8.15 million annual salary justified given his recent success with the South Carolina Gamecocks?
Absolutely, he’s earned it
No, it’s too much
Only if he keeps winning
Not sure
The HC gave flowers to the ones responsible: “Thank you to President Amirides, Thad Westbrook, and the Board of Trustees, Ray Tanner, and Jeremiah Donati for their trust and support.” What’s even more intriguing is how Beamer’s progress has been recognized nationally, at least to an extent.
In the “Way-Too-Early Top 25” rankings, South Carolina landed at an impressive 12th, a testament to how he has driven South Carolina to places they’ve never been before under his guidance. “I would kind of draw a line right there,” said Lassan, suggesting that South Carolina’s position is firmly within the upper echelon of teams poised for a strong 2025 campaign. He would even dare to move the Gamecocks to 10.
With that said, the former VT wide receiver also isn’t too interested in those considering how those lists are made. He remembers his last offseason days as well when he and his team were also on those less-approving lists before proving their ratings wrong. “Also understanding that none of that matters because all these projections that people do, that you guys do? It’s based on how the season went before and, usually, do they return their quarterback?” Beamer said.
But for all the optimism, Beamer’s extension isn’t without its challenges. The SEC remains a gauntlet, and South Carolina’s path to the CFP is anything but smooth. Yet, there’s a case to be made that the Gamecocks are closer than they appear.
Shane Beamer beaming with joy as Gamecocks land in early Top-25 polls
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer isn’t shying away from the buzz surrounding his team heading into next season. And the Gamecocks are popping up in several “Way-Too-Early Top-25” rankings. Beamer couldn’t help but share his thoughts while attending the men’s basketball game in Columbia on Saturday. Let’s just say he’s a fan of the good press.
“It sure beats seeing my name on hot-seat lists or not being ranked at all,” Beamer said with a laugh. “Yeah, I’ll be honest.” You’ve got to love the self-awareness. For the fun guy, this recognition signals the kind of energy he’s been building around the program. “You want to be at a place with high expectations. You want momentum, and you want people to have confidence in the team every year,” he added.
The praise isn’t coming from just anywhere either. Big names like On3’s Andy Staples, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, and Pro Football Focus have all shown love for South Carolina. Some, like Athlon’s Steve, have even tossed the Gamecocks into the Top 10 conversation. After all, it’s way more fun to talk about Top 25 rankings than hypothetical hot seats.
