Shane Beamer explains why he added James Coley to coaching staff

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer recently hired James Coley to be the team’s next wide receivers coach. He comes to South Carolina regarded as an elite recruiter and has most recently worked for Texas A&M.

As Beamer introduced Coley, he explained both why he wanted him on staff and admitted that multiple teams were trying to hire him.

“James Coley, when A&M made the decision to dismiss Coach [Jimbo] Fisher, I knew right away that James was somebody that I wanted to try and get into our program here at South Carolina in some way,” Shane Beamer said. “I’m not the only head coach that felt that way because James had other choices out there. One that I know of in the SEC and one that I know of in the ACC that were pretty significant positions as well and it’s because of the kind of coach and the kind of person he is.”

Shane Beamer and James Coley actually coached together at Georgia. That’s how the two met and Beamer knows there’s a lot to like about Coley.

“I did know James from our time together at the University of Georgia. I had coached against him when he was at the University of Miami and I was at Virginia Tech. He was the offensive coordinator at Miami and he was at Florida State with Coach Fisher. So, knew of him, had never met him until we went to Athens together, but we came into Athens together. Both hired at about the same time in 2016 for that season in Kirby [Smart‘s] first year in Athens,” Beamer said.

“So, we came in together and saw firsthand what he’s about. He’s attractive to me from his experience and in so many different areas. He’s coached quarterbacks, he’s coached receivers, he’s coached tight ends, he’s coordinated offenses at the college level, he’s been a high school coach in South Florida, he’s coached in the NFL. I saw what he did with the receivers at the University of Georgia in our time there, as well. So, we spent two years together. Then, I left and went to Oklahoma and he carried on also. Then, what he was able to do at Texas A&M also from a coaching and recruiting standpoint. So, I know he’s somebody who will make us better on and off the field.”

South Carolina lost key assistant Pete Lembo

Shane Beamer will need to make another assistant hire now that special teams coordinator Pete Lembo has left to become the head coach of the Buffalo Bulls.

“I would like to thank Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt and President Tripathi for providing me with this tremendous opportunity. I look forward to partnering with them, as well as the other leadership in the athletic department, on campus and in the community to make the UB football program one that we can all be proud of,” Lembo said.

“We will work tirelessly to recruit, develop and maximize the experience for our student-athletes on and off the field. I am really excited to assemble an energetic staff that will build meaningful relationships with our players and with each other.”

Lembo, who was a Broyles Award Assistant Coach of the Year Semifinalist in 2022, earned a five year contract with Buffalo.