Shane Beamer on South Carolina's social media approach: 'We're real, we're genuine'

South Carolina has taken a fun approach on social media this offseason, especially with head coach Shane Beamer. He went viral before SEC Media Days, positing a video with his team signing “Turn My Swag On” and wearing some sunglasses.

The social media emphasis is not for everybody, especially Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops. Nonetheless, Beamer took some time during the SEC teleconference to explain South Carolina’s approach, saying they’re “real” and “genuine.”

“We’re not for everybody but one thing you can’t say about us as a program is that it’s an act,” Beamer said. “What you see with us it what you get. We’re real, we’re genuine, and don’t spend a whole lot of time worrying about people’s opinions outside this building. We try to promote our program the best we can and have fun.”

Shane Beamer addressed Mark Stoops comments again

Also during SEC Media Days, Stoops made a specific comment, using the word “sunglasses” and it was a perceived shot at Beamer. The Kentucky head coach clarified later, saying it had nothing to do with South Carolina’s social media page.

Beamer addressed the situation again, saying they are going to worry about themselves. The goal for Beamer is to “stay in our lane” and have fun with their videos.

“I know the situation you’re referring to,” Beamer said. “Mark said that wasn’t directed at us. Didn’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about it beyond that. We worry about ourselves. Certainly, we want to do things in a respectful way but we try to worry about our own program and stay in our lane. As Mark said he tried to do after the basketball coach at Kentucky made comments about Kentucky’s football program.”

Rival fans appearing in Twitter mentions

While Beamer is focusing on his own team, he has noticed a few rival fans noticing the Gamecocks’ social media posts. He said his Twitter mentions have not been totally South Carolina friendly over the past couple of months. That’s how the head coach knows he is doing something right.

“We want to be relevant and I feel like I am hearing more, not that I spent a whole lot of time looking at my mentions on Twitter,” Beamer began. “But I can certainly say there’s a lot more Kentucky fans, Clemson fans, Tennessee fans, and Florida fans on there than last year. So, maybe that means we’re doing something right.”