Shane Beamer reveals how Spencer Rattler plays a role in offensive coordinator search

Shane Beamer has an important hire to make on his staff after OC and QB coach Marcus Satterfield elected to leave South Carolina for Nebraska. Now, Beamer has to keep continuity on an offense that has been high on Satterfield’s work in Columbia. That starts with Spencer Rattler as Beamer hopes the new OC could be great alongside the Gamecock quarterback.

Beamer spoke about that dynamic during his press conference on Sunday. He says Rattler isn’t privy to all the discussions he has with and about offensive coordinator prospects. Still, if Rattler remains in Columbia, Beamer wants there to be a quality fit between the two.

“Every time I talk to a coach, I’m not calling Spencer and giving him a play-by-play of everything that guy talked about. But, certainly, Spencer has a decision to make,” said Beamer. “You want to make the hire to make sure that guy’s gonna fit with the people that you have in that room as well…You want that to be a good fit.”

Rattler said several times after his commitment to South Carolina and throughout the season that Satterfield is why he ended up with the program. Their pairing helped Rattler look closer to who he was earlier on in his career at Oklahoma in 2020. Under Satterfield this season, Rattler threw for 2,780 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Beamer wants there to be a fit but, in the end, he also has a program to worry about. Rattler may not even be back after this season. That’s why Beamer wants to make the ideal hire for his program first and foremost.

“I want to make the best hire for the short term and long term. I’m gonna do the best thing for South Carolina football,” Beamer said. “But, ideally, Spencer has a decision to make…(and) I want to hire someone that I think would be a great fit for every quarterback in our room.”

Beamer will likely want to have Satterfield’s replacement in place soon as the Gamecocks make bowl preparations. That timeline may coincide with Rattler’s decision as well as Beamer tries to find the right balance of involvement for his QB when making this important decision to his staff.