Shane Beamer explains how he's grown from his first SEC Media Days to now

Shane Beamer has learned a lot since his first appearance at SEC Media Days in 2021. Having been an assistant for 20 years prior, Beamer took the first head coaching job of his career with South Carolina this past season.

Admittedly, he had to get used to the additional responsibilities that came with the title. It wasn’t always easy, but he managed to finished with a 7-6 record and win a bowl game. Not a bad debut by any means.

Still, Beamer knows there’s a lot he can do better and can’t help but think back to things he would have done differently. As he arrived in Atlanta for his second SEC Media Days this week, he reflected on how he has grown as a coach in the past year.

“I feel like a learned a lot before SEC Media Days just from January until July last year,” Shane Beamer said. “Realizing the impact that you have on everyone in the program. All eyes are on you every single day when you walk in that building. What I say in press conferences like this or back in Columbia is gonna resonate across the state with the fanbase. Even growing up the son of a football coach like I did, you don’t realize that to the degree that it is.

“Then also all the things that come across your desk every single day that have nothing to do with football, which I love that part of it. Don’t get me wrong. Throughout the season, certainly you learn. There’s mistakes that I made in games and I can think of things last year that I’m still kicking myself in the butt for. In-game decisions that you’d like to have back. But that’s coaching and you try and learn and be better going forward.”

South Carolina’s biggest weakness last season was it’s lack of a quarterback. The Gamecocks rolled out four different starters at the position, including receiver Dakereon Joyner, who started in the bowl game against North Carolina. Beamer addressed that need by landing Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler, a former five-star recruit who will begin the season as QB No. 1.

Beamer also brought in tight end Austin Stogner and running back Christian Beal-Smith to help boost an offense that finished 13th in the SEC this past season. That combined with an extra year of coaching experience has him excited about what Year 2 in Columbia could hold. The Gamecocks will open up the season on Sept. 3 against Georgia State.