Shane Beamer 'beyond grateful' to receive contract extension at South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks took a step forward in 2024, the fourth season for the program under head coach Shane Beamer. Nine wins was the most he had in any season and the Gamecocks ended the regular season just on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff. In response to that, the school awarded Beamer with a new contract.

Now, Beamer has shared some of his thoughts and emotions regarding the contract extension that should keep him in South Carolina for the long term.

“Very blessed,” Shane Beamer said. “So thankful to — it was something Coach [Ray] Tanner started working on back at the end of the season. It’s been a process. Appreciate Coach Tanner and Jeremiah [Donati] coming in and jumping in as well, Dr. [Michael] Amiridis, and Thad Westbrook, and the Board of Trustees. Beyond grateful for their trust in me. Emily and my family, we love it here, we love this state, we love this community, love being a Gamecock, and just really excited about that. Excited about the future as well.”

The contract extension is set to keep Beamer at South Carolina through the 2030 season. In 2025, his salary will be increased to $8.15 Million. Each season, that will increase by $100,000 to make it that he’s being paid $8.65 million in the final year of the deal.

It’s a massive contract extension for Shane Beamer and one that he also admitted that he never really expected to get.

“No, I didn’t,” Beamer said. “This has been a deal where this has been a thing where I love what I do and it doesn’t feel like a job. Certainly, never thought that. It’s surreal, but again, it goes back to how much I love what I do. It’s not a job and I love being here. Don’t feel like I’ve ever worked a day in my life.”

Shane Beamer, the son of longtime Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, got into coaching in 2000 as a GA at Georgia Tech. He spent time as an assistant at several stops, including South Carolina under Steve Spurrier, before becoming the Gamecocks head coach in 2021. Since then, he has gone 29-22 in four seasons, making three different bowl games.

In his own statement, South Carolina Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati explained the decision to extend Shane Beamer.

“The culture and commitment to excellence that Coach Beamer has built in our football program shows that we are headed in the right direction and on a strong upward trajectory,” Donati said. “Coach Beamer has made clear his desire to be at the University of South Carolina, and this extension shows our collective support for him as the leader of our football program.”

With the support of the school, Shane Beamer will now go into the offseason with increased expectations. He’ll begin working to live up to those expectations next season when the Gamecocks open against Virginia Tech in Atlanta.