Shane Beamer explains hierarchy involved with SEC schedule discussion

There are all kinds of people at varying levels of leadership involved in the decision-making that’s happening at the SEC Spring Meetings. Still, as a head coach, Shane Beamer is doing his best to do what he can from the role he’s in.

Beamer commented on the hierarchy of decision-makers in Destin this week. He said that he realizes that his space is one that some might consider as lower on the totem pole. Even so, Beamer says that then gives him a responsibility to be an open communicator with the people who he’s involved with at South Carolina that might have more of a say in the matters at hand.

“I mean, for me, we can sit in there and talk a lot as head football coaches. (But), ultimately, it’s going to be presidents and athletic directors who are making a lot of these decisions,” Beamer said. “So, for me, it’s about communicating with Coach (Ray) Tanner, our athletic director, and Dr. Amiridis, our president. Here’s kind of where we are on things and why we feel this way, whether it be the transfer portal or whether it be the recruiting calendar. Whatever it might be. We’ve talked a lot about it.”

To Beamer, communication is crucial in this scenario. He thinks it’s important to have the appropriate conversations so that no one feels like they’re unheard. He also said that it’s not just something to focus on this week as everyone eventually leaves the meetings and goes back to their respective schools and states within the SEC.

“That’s the biggest thing,” said Beamer. “Sometimes there’s been frustrations where maybe things we’ve talked about as head coaches don’t get implemented. So, for us, (we) don’t just leave Destin and not continue the talks. (We’ll) continue whatever we’ve talked about and make sure we continue to follow up with our leaders, whether it be at our university or state or conference.”

The powers at be have already resolved several decisions at the SEC Spring Meetings this week. However, to keep things working in their favor, Beamer says it’s on he and the other coaches to keep the right conversations going moving forward.

Beamer wants to preserve Clemson rivalry regardless of SEC schedule

At the SEC Spring Meetings, the primary concern has been the SEC’s conference schedule moving forward. Finally, the league decided to stick with an eight-game conference schedule for the 2024 season despite criticism. However, for South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, it’s also important to remember the value of non-conference games.

In particular, Beamer wants to make sure that South Carolina preserves their rivalry with ACC power Clemson moving forward.

“I know how important that Clemson game is to the people of our state. And I think it’s great for college football,” Shane Beamer said. “So, I don’t want to lose that Clemson game, without a doubt. So, that’s something that we haven’t even discussed — not playing that game.”

“(It’s) something I certainly want to do. And, certainly, not everybody in the SEC plays a Top-10 perennial, top-five program at the end of the season. But we love that from a competitive standpoint. I love it from a rivalry standpoint, college athletics standpoint.”