Shane Beamer opens up on what it meant to see so many players return to South Carolina

Shane Beamer must be doing something right down in Columbia. After a 7-6 first season as the head coach at South Carolina, he added a ton of talent through the portal and high school level. However, it’s what he maintained on his roster from last season that speaks volumes about the program he’s building.

Beamer talked about how much it meant to return so many players from their 2021 roster during SEC Media Days in Atlanta. He described it as “humbling” as his players came to him wanting to make another run under his leadership.

“It was very gratifying and humbling when they told me that…The month of December is kind of a crazy time. You’re getting ready for a bowl game, trying to sign a high school recruiting class, dealing with the transfer portal, and trying to figure out who on your own roster is opting out of bowl games (and) leaving early for the NFL. I remember meeting with those guys like Jovaughn Gwyn that I knew had decisions to make and it was a pretty cool moment when the offensive line told me that they were coming back,” said Beamer. “They felt like they didn’t accomplish what they wanted to accomplish. They wanted to win more than seven games, but that they also felt like they didn’t do their jobs as leaders on the team last year. That was pretty cool to hear.”

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The Gamecocks were a pair of close losses to Kentucky and Missouri from having an even better season. They did end on a high note with a win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Still, his players think they have an opportunity to help South Carolina be even better in 2022. Shane Beamer says all of this comes from what they’ve done within the program in just year.

“It’s a testament to what we’re doing in the program that our players saw last season what we’re about. It’s not just talk, it’s actions as well and they want to a part of it,” Beamer said.

Shane Beamer’s team will open the season September 3rd against Georgia State. From there, they want to compete in the SEC East this year. While Beamer says he’ll demand a lot from his players, he says he’s going to continue to build a place in Columbia that can help breed a contender.

“It’s not easy being a football player here. It’s hard work, demanding, and you’re held accountable. I don’t ever want our players to dread walking into our facility each day and they don’t. They look forward to coming in there each day. That’s because of the people we have in that facility.”