Shane Beamer reacts to Mississippi State links, SEC firings

In light of Mississippi State’s decision to fire Zach Arnett on Monday, multiple names are emerging to replace him. One name that could come up in that conversation could be Shane Beamer considering his connections to MSU — from his wife, to his time there as an assistant, to the athletic director, Zac Selmon.

Beamer worked at Mississippi State from 2004-06 as cornerbacks coach, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator before his first stint at South Carolina as an assistant. He’s also close with Selmon, who worked at Oklahoma while Beamer was on staff there. His wife is also an MSU alumna.

Beamer pointed out the links between him and Mississippi State, but made it clear South Carolina is still his “dream job.”

“I understand the connection,” Beamer told reporters Tuesday. “Wife is from Starkville, Mississippi State grad, I spent three years there. Not to mention that Zac, their athletic director, is one of my best friends in the entire world. In fact, the night before I interviewed for this job, we spent Thanksgiving with he and his family. He and I talk regularly and got a ton of respect for him and he’s doing an awesome job in Starkville.

“But no, this is where I want to be. Love Columbia and want to be here for a long time. I said when I got hired, this was my dream job and still feel that way. In my mind, we’re just getting started here.”

Mississippi State wasn’t the only school to fire its head coach this week. Texas A&M also moved on from Jimbo Fisher in a move that cost the school $77.6 million, per Fisher’s buyout. Such changes in-season aren’t entirely uncommon considering the current landscape with National Signing Day and the transfer portal windows opening soon.

Shane Beamer realizes that reality and why the pressure ratchets up. That doesn’t mean he likes that idea, though.

“As an acting coach that wants to not get fired, no, it’s not a good trend, particularly during the season,” Beamer said with a chuckle. “So no, I don’t like that trend. I hate to see it for Jimbo, I hate to see it for Zach. You realize that’s part of it when you get into the profession.

“But I also understand — I mean, I know I got hired two years ago and it was crazy because I got hired … the second week of December, and it’s a week or 10 days before signing day. You’ve got the portal and everything else you’re dealing with. When a school makes a change, you automatically see it’s like sharks in the water with transfers and things like that, as well. So I get it, part of it.”