Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shane Beamer

Discover the career path of Shane Beamer, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Shane Beamer is the head football coach at the University of South Carolina, credited with revitalizing their football program. He was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2024 and has the second most top-ten wins in South Carolina's history. Before his head coaching role, he served as an assistant coach at multiple universities including Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1987: Father named Head Coach of Virginia Tech

In 1987, Frank Beamer, Shane's father, was named the head coach of Virginia Tech. As a result, the Beamer family relocated to Blacksburg, Virginia.

2000: Graduate Assistant at Georgia Tech

In 2000, Shane Beamer became a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech under George O'Leary, where he assisted with the quarterbacks and wide receivers. A scheduled game against his father's team, Virginia Tech, was canceled due to lightning.

2001: Graduate Assistant at Tennessee

In 2001, Shane Beamer started serving as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee under Phillip Fulmer.

2003: End of Graduate Assistant role at Tennessee

In 2003, Shane Beamer completed his role as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee. He helped with the cornerbacks, assisted in all special teams areas, and oversaw game opponent scouting.

2003: Consecutive Wins

In 2022, it was noted that South Carolina became the first since 2003 to beat top-10 teams as an unranked team.

January 2004: Hired by Mississippi State

In January 2004, Shane Beamer was hired by Sylvester Croom at Mississippi State as the cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. This marked Beamer's first full-time coaching position.

2006: Running Backs Coach

In the spring of 2006, Shane Beamer remained the recruiting coordinator at Mississippi State and also became the Bulldogs' running backs coach. He recruited and coached Anthony Dixon.

February 14, 2007: Hired by South Carolina

On February 14, 2007, Shane Beamer was hired by Steve Spurrier at the University of South Carolina to coach outside linebackers and serve as the special teams coordinator.

2008: Gamecock Defense

In 2008, the Gamecock defense, under Shane Beamer's coaching, finished 2nd in pass defense and 13th in total defense nationally.

2009: Recruiting Coordinator for the Gamecocks

In 2009, Shane Beamer served as the recruiting coordinator for the Gamecocks. The 2009 class was ranked 12th best in the nation by Scout.com and Rivals.com and included future NFL Draft picks Stephon Gillmore and Alshon Jeffery.

2009: Special teams success

In 2009, South Carolina's special teams unit blocked five kicks, tying for the SEC lead and ranking eighth nationally, while the Gamecock defensive unit finished third in the SEC and fifteenth nationally in total defense.

2010: Recruiting Coordinator for the Gamecocks

In 2010, Shane Beamer served as the recruiting coordinator for the Gamecocks. The 2010 recruiting classes ranked in the top 25 and included future South Carolina stars and NFL players Marcus Lattimore and Connor Shaw.

February 14, 2011: Joins Virginia Tech

On February 14, 2011, Shane Beamer joined his father at Virginia Tech as the running backs coach.

2011: Recruiting Coordinator for the Gamecocks

In 2011, Shane Beamer served as the recruiting coordinator for the Gamecocks. The 2011 recruiting classes ranked in the top 25 and included future South Carolina stars and NFL players Marcus Lattimore and Connor Shaw.

2012: Highest-Ranked Recruiting Class Since 2012

In 2023, it was announced that South Carolina's recruiting class was the highest-ranked recruiting class since 2012.

2013: Four-Game Winning Streak

By October of 2022, South Carolina was on its first four-game winning streak since 2013, but they would lose two of the next three games, falling out of the rankings once again.

2013: First Final Ranking Since 2013

The 2022 season was South Carolina's first final ranking since 2013.

2014: Acting Head Coach in Military Bowl

In 2014, Shane Beamer served as the acting head coach in the Military Bowl, while his father took a break to undergo throat surgery. The Hokies won the game with a score of 33–17.

2014: Highest AP Ranking Since 2014

In 2022, the late-season wins against top ten opponents garnered South Carolina its highest AP ranking since 2014.

November 1, 2015: Frank Beamer's Retirement Announcement

On November 1, 2015, Frank Beamer announced his retirement, which would take effect at the end of the season.

January 5, 2016: Hired by University of Georgia

On January 5, 2016, Shane Beamer was hired by the University of Georgia to serve on Kirby Smart's staff as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, days after his father's retirement.

2017: Georgia's Special Teams Improvement

By 2017, under Shane Beamer, Georgia's special teams improved, ranking 8th in net punting average and 40th in kickoff return defense, as well as 20th in kickoff return average. Beamer also appeared in his second national championship game that year.

2017: First 8-Win Season Since 2017

The 2022 season was the program's first 8-win season since 2017.

January 22, 2018: Hired by Oklahoma

On January 22, 2018, Shane Beamer was hired by the University of Oklahoma as assistant head coach under Lincoln Riley. He coached tight ends and H-backs, and played a role in overseeing special teams.

2018: Entering the Rankings

In October of 2022, South Carolina entered the rankings for the first time since 2018, during a four-game winning streak.

November 15, 2020: Will Muschamp Fired

On November 15, 2020, Will Muschamp was fired as the head coach of South Carolina.

December 6, 2020: Hired as Head Coach of South Carolina

On December 6, 2020, Shane Beamer was hired as the 36th head coach of the University of South Carolina.

September 4, 2021: First Game at South Carolina

On September 4, 2021, Shane Beamer won his first game as head coach at South Carolina, a home game against Eastern Illinois.

November 6, 2021: Upset Victory Over Florida

On November 6, 2021, Shane Beamer led South Carolina to an upset victory over Florida with a score of 40-17. The Gamecocks were 20.5-point underdogs but exceeded preseason expectations and were one win away from becoming bowl eligible.

2021: Emphasis on Special Teams Play

From 2021 to September 2024, South Carolina blocked eleven punts, the most in FBS during that time, showcasing the emphasis on special teams play and aggression known as "Beamer Ball".

2021: Recruiting Class and New Assistant Coaches

In 2021, Shane Beamer led South Carolina to a recruiting class that was ranked No. 80 by 247Sports and No. 74 by Rivals.com. Additionally, Beamer hired nine new assistant coaches, with only Mike Peterson remaining from Muschamp's staff. These hires included Pete Lembo, Marcus Satterfield, and Clayton White.

October 8, 2022: Upset Victory Over Kentucky

On October 8, 2022, South Carolina, coached by Shane Beamer, upset No. 13 Kentucky on the road, marking Beamer's first SEC road win and first win over a ranked opponent. Beamer was named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week.

November 19, 2022: Upset Victory Over Tennessee

On November 19, 2022, South Carolina, led by Shane Beamer, beat No. 5 Tennessee at home with a score of 63–38. This was the most points scored by an unranked team over a top-five opponent in college football history. Beamer was named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week for the second time that season.

2022: Recruiting and Transfer Portal Class

In 2022, Shane Beamer led South Carolina to a recruiting class that was ranked No. 24 by 247Sports, and No. 26 by Rivals.com. The transfer portal class was ranked No. 9 by 247Sports, highlighted by the addition of Spencer Rattler as the starting quarterback.

2022: Gator Bowl and Season Record

In 2022, South Carolina lost to Notre Dame 45–38 in the Gator Bowl. The team finished the season with an 8–5 record and a No. 23 ranking in both major polls.

2023: Recruiting Class

In 2023, Shane Beamer led South Carolina to a recruiting class that was ranked No. 16 by 247Sports, and No. 17 by Rivals.com. It was South Carolina's highest-ranked recruiting class since 2012.

September 2024: South Carolina's Special Teams Prowess

As of September 2024, South Carolina, under Shane Beamer's guidance, had blocked eleven punts since 2021, the most in FBS during that time, showcasing their emphasis on special teams and "Beamer Ball 2.0".

2024: South Carolina's Recruiting Class Ranked Highly

In 2024, Shane Beamer led South Carolina to a recruiting class ranked No. 22 by 247Sports and No. 31 by Rivals.com. The transfer portal class was ranked No. 16 by 247Sports and No. 11 by Rivals.com. The signing class included two 5-star recruits for the first time in program history. Also in 2024, Beamer fired running backs coach Montario Hardesty, and Pete Lembo, Beamer's associate head coach and special teams coordinator, left to become the head coach at Buffalo. Joe DeCamillis was hired from Texas to replace Lembo.

2024: Shane Beamer Wins SEC Coach of the Year

In 2024, following a win over Akron and losses to Ole Miss and Alabama, South Carolina was 3–3 before unexpectedly defeating Oklahoma 35-9. This win started a six-game winning streak, the longest since 2013, including three straight wins over ranked opponents. Highlight victories included a 44–20 win over No. 10 Texas A&M, a close win against No. 23 Missouri, and a road win against No. 12 Clemson. South Carolina then lost to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl. Beamer was named SEC Coach of the Year.