Beamer on the hot seat?

[18IsTheMan]

Conventional wisdom said Beamer would face an extremely uphill task in making staff hires due to being on the hot seat. Getting coaches from P4 programs was considered off the table for the most part. But, Beamer went out and hired four P4 assistants. He picked up one of the better known OC names, which should be a massive upgrade over Shula, even if it doesn't produce an explosive offense. The RB hire might be more surprising to me, as Drayton has been almost exclusively at blue blood programs for two decades. I don't know as much about Clements, but he spent time at UNC and FSU prior to TCU (not sure where else). He's probably the weakest of the 3 hires, but should be a considerable upgrade over Teasley.

None of these hires are embattled coaches in desperate situations. I don't doubt any one of them would be able to find work elsewhere in the P4.

It begs the question: If Beamer is on the hot seat, how did he manage to make what appears to be two very good hires and a good hire of coaches from other P4 programs? Obviously, I think we all agree Donati had a heavy hand in the Briles hire, which probably led to the OL coach from TCU as well.

Drayton is the one I really can't figure. He's been at UF, UT, OSU, PSU, Texas. Now USC? For a coach who's on the hot seat? He's only 54, so far from washed up. He's been successful everywhere he's been. His worst results have been decent running games. His best results have been top 10 nationally.

Just doesn't add up.

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

Probably have some guarantees of future employment at university?

 

[SouthernBelly]

Fair questions. Lots of assumptions incoming.

I figured the only realistic route was finding a G5/FCS guy who would be willing to take the risk of it being potentially only one season because at least SEC OC is a solid bullet point on the resume. And if it works then you get more than one year and it turns out to be a great career move, not just a bullet point.

Why would a P4 guy want to make a lateral move and have that risk of it only being a year? And if you’re a successful P4 OC already it’s hard to imagine wanting to come work for Beamer.

So what’s the allure if you’re Briles? Money? Ego? Secret family?

 

[Bubba Fett]

 

[gpcocks]

If he goes 4-8/5-7 then he is gone and Briles is the new HC. Possibly gone before the Clemson game.

 

[18IsTheMan]

If he goes 4-8/5-7 then he is gone and Briles is the new HC. Possibly gone before the Clemson game.

If you wanna go with conspiracy theories, I've wondered about Donati playing the long game and bringing Briles in for that reason, even it's never stated.

 

[Lurker123]

I would vote that they got multi-year contracts, and are going to get paid even if this falls through.

 

[gamecock stock]

I would vote that they got multi-year contracts, and are going to get paid even if this falls through.

We have an actual AD now who knows what he is doing. He cuts corners where he has to and spends money when he needs to.

 

[Lurker123]

We have an actual AD now who knows what he is doing. He cuts corners where he has to and spends money when he needs to.

I think the TCU link is undeniable in the OC search.

Thankfully, we dont have to see what the OC Search would look like without Donati.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

If you wanna go with conspiracy theories, I've wondered about Donati playing the long game and bringing Briles in for that reason, even it's never stated.

I'm not opting in for the conspiracy of taking over, but I've been around the corporate arena enough to know, that if one of the bosses "highly recommends" for someone to change their staff, and "highly recommends" to hire someone from their former organization, then that person should know they are on a very short leash, and only positive results will be tolerated

 

[gamecock stock]

Conventional wisdom said Beamer would face an extremely uphill task in making staff hires due to being on the hot seat. Getting coaches from P4 programs was considered off the table for the most part. But, Beamer went out and hired four P4 assistants. He picked up one of the better known OC names, which should be a massive upgrade over Shula, even if it doesn't produce an explosive offense. The RB hire might be more surprising to me, as Drayton has been almost exclusively at blue blood programs for two decades. I don't know as much about Clements, but he spent time at UNC and FSU prior to TCU (not sure where else). He's probably the weakest of the 3 hires, but should be a considerable upgrade over Teasley.

None of these hires are embattled coaches in desperate situations. I don't doubt any one of them would be able to find work elsewhere in the P4.

It begs the question: If Beamer is on the hot seat, how did he manage to make what appears to be two very good hires and a good hire of coaches from other P4 programs? Obviously, I think we all agree Donati had a heavy hand in the Briles hire, which probably led to the OL coach from TCU as well.

Drayton is the one I really can't figure. He's been at UF, UT, OSU, PSU, Texas. Now USC? For a coach who's on the hot seat? He's only 54, so far from washed up. He's been successful everywhere he's been. His worst results have been decent running games. His best results have been top 10 nationally.

Just doesn't add up.

This will be, the best staff since Beamer has been here.. Beamer does not have the coaching skill, as evidenced that he never has been an OC, DC nor Head Coach prior to coming here. So, he has to be a manager of his coaches, just like Dabo is. He has to depend on their expertise. If next year is bad, we know the next step.

I hope White does not leave. But, the fact that his name is linked to UT is not a good sign. If I was Heupel, I'd hire Muschamp to be his DC.

 

[Mr. Belvedere]

Conventional wisdom said Beamer would face an extremely uphill task in making staff hires due to being on the hot seat. Getting coaches from P4 programs was considered off the table for the most part. But, Beamer went out and hired four P4 assistants. He picked up one of the better known OC names, which should be a massive upgrade over Shula, even if it doesn't produce an explosive offense. The RB hire might be more surprising to me, as Drayton has been almost exclusively at blue blood programs for two decades. I don't know as much about Clements, but he spent time at UNC and FSU prior to TCU (not sure where else). He's probably the weakest of the 3 hires, but should be a considerable upgrade over Teasley.

None of these hires are embattled coaches in desperate situations. I don't doubt any one of them would be able to find work elsewhere in the P4.

It begs the question: If Beamer is on the hot seat, how did he manage to make what appears to be two very good hires and a good hire of coaches from other P4 programs? Obviously, I think we all agree Donati had a heavy hand in the Briles hire, which probably led to the OL coach from TCU as well.

Drayton is the one I really can't figure. He's been at UF, UT, OSU, PSU, Texas. Now USC? For a coach who's on the hot seat? He's only 54, so far from washed up. He's been successful everywhere he's been. His worst results have been decent running games. His best results have been top 10 nationally.

Just doesn't add up.

Believe or not, Columbia is an attractive place to live for multiple reasons. That is likely a big draw plus the talent amassed on offense that is untapped potential.

 

[Evilchicken]

Believe or not, Columbia is an attractive place to live for multiple reasons. That is likely a big draw plus the talent amassed on offense that is untapped potential.

PARTS of Cola.

Northeast Columbia is a pit.

 

[vacock]

Maybe hot shot assistant coaches want to take over if the head coach fails? It could happen. Ha

 

[SouthernBelly]

The idea that Briles could take over if next year is bad is a fine conspiracy but how can it actually work? If SC sucks next year then most likely that means the offense sucks. It would have to be a defensive collapse. Which could absolutely happen because why not; but isn’t it more likely that the offense continues to sputter than for the defense to fall apart? So how does he come to be HC if the offense is no good?

Only way I see the conspiracy panning out is this: Beamer would have to be fired early in the season, Briles tabbed interim, and then the team does well from that point. Come next December they remove the interim label.

 

[Lurker123]

The idea that Briles could take over if next year is bad is a fine conspiracy but how can it actually work? If SC sucks next year then most likely that means the offense sucks. It would have to be a defensive collapse. Which could absolutely happen because why not; but isn’t it more likely that the offense continues to sputter than for the defense to fall apart? So how does he come to be HC if the offense is no good?

Only way I see the conspiracy panning out is this: Beamer would have to be fired early in the season, Briles tabbed interim, and then the team does well from that point. Come next December they remove the interim label.

Yeah, that was the only scenario I could think of too. It would have to be a mid season firing.

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

PARTS of Cola.

Northeast Columbia is a pit.

Pretty sure that can be said of most any town.

Except Gaston. Ever notice no coaches ever move there? The whole place is a meth lab.

 

[gamecock stock]

The idea that Briles could take over if next year is bad is a fine conspiracy but how can it actually work? If SC sucks next year then most likely that means the offense sucks. It would have to be a defensive collapse. Which could absolutely happen because why not; but isn’t it more likely that the offense continues to sputter than for the defense to fall apart? So how does he come to be HC if the offense is no good?

Only way I see the conspiracy panning out is this: Beamer would have to be fired early in the season, Briles tabbed interim, and then the team does well from that point. Come next December they remove the interim label.

That has been my thinking too. If we are scoring lot, but no ball control, we give up a lot of points and lose, Briles would be sitting pretty. Then again, Donati might do what he did at TCU: hire a proven, winner Head Coach from another program.

 

[kidrobinski]

Methinks the reason this stuff doesn’t add up for yall is because the Beams’ seat isn’t as hot as yall speculate.

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

So, the intial excitement over the asst coaching hires is over and we're back to, "Beamer is on the hot seat and will likely be fired mid-season next year", before the official announcements of the hirings are even made?

Man, that didn't have much of a shelf life.

 

[BeamerBall90]

Beamer has made bold moves, as he needed to do. New staff will have to get their system in place and recruit to the new system. Some of you are delusional if you think that all happens next year. Give him credit for going full bore and letting Briles bring in coaches who know how to coach his system. I’m just glad Beamer as picked a direction for the offense and seems to be committed to it. What else do you want him to do?

 

[Uscg1984]

PARTS of Cola.

Northeast Columbia is a pit.

My guess is with the salary these guys are gonna make, they'll be in the nice parts. The very nice parts.

 

[Statepawdog]

Beamer should be able to go at 6-6 next year. He just needs to avoid a "blow out " loss. I believe he survives with a bowl invitation.

 

[Uscg1984]

I just think we aren't as smart as we think we are. We're just dumb fans.

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

My guess is with the salary these guys are gonna make, they'll be in the nice parts. The very nice parts.

You mean like buying an island on Lake Murray?

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

I just think we aren't as smart as we think we are. We're just dumb fans.

Now you're starting to sound like 18IsThe Man with the speaking for everyone.

Some of us are dumber than the rest of you.

 

[SouthernBelly]

Now you're starting to sound like 18IsThe Man with the speaking for everyone.

Some of us are dumber than the rest of you.

But all of us are dumber than some of us

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

But all of us are dumber than some of us

Collectively... yes.

 

[Lurker123]

So, the intial excitement over the asst coaching hires is over and we're back to, "Beamer is on the hot seat and will likely be fired mid-season next year", before the official announcements of the hirings are even made?

Man, that didn't have much of a shelf life.

Did anyone say he is likely to be fired mid-season? Or that was the only (conspiracy theory alert) way Briles could be brought in as the next HC?

 

[Lurker123]

Methinks the reason this stuff doesn’t add up for yall is because the Beams’ seat isn’t as hot as yall speculate.

Thats odd. I thought his post was logical and sincere. Although I do see how that can be upsetting to a puppy.

Don't get too emotional over the hotseat talk. You can pretend its not there, and if a change happens, you can then just pretend you were anticipating it all along.

 

[SouthernBelly]

Beamer has made bold moves, as he needed to do. New staff will have to get their system in place and recruit to the new system. Some of you are delusional if you think that all happens next year. Give him credit for going full bore and letting Briles bring in coaches who know how to coach his system. I’m just glad Beamer as picked a direction for the offense and seems to be committed to it. What else do you want him to do?

These aren’t bold moves. They’re the type of moves he should be making and given how he’s talked about hiring since the beginning of his tenure they’re the type he should have been making. That’s what else we wanted him to do.

Expecting improvement is delusional. Noted.

 

[Lurker123]

These aren’t bold moves. They’re the type of moves he should be making and given how he’s talked about hiring since the beginning of his tenure they’re the type he should have been making. That’s what else we wanted him to do.

Expecting improvement is delusional. Noted.

I was with you until the last sentence. I think he was cautioning against installing a new offense and recruiting players for it in just one offseaon.

I mean, imo, Briles could throw darts to pick plays and be an improvement over Shula.

 

[SouthernBelly]

I was with you until the last sentence. I think he was cautioning against installing a new offense and recruiting players for it in just one offseaon.

I mean, imo, Briles could throw darts to pick plays and be an improvement over Shula.

That’s often the thinking yet quick turnarounds in college football are hardly a rarity. And yeah, improvement in this case are things like not having negative rushing yards or average scoring being above 22 points without factoring in defensive & ST points.

 

[Lurker123]

That’s often the thinking yet quick turnarounds in college football are hardly a rarity. And yeah, improvement in this case are things like not having negative rushing yards or average scoring being above 22 points without factoring in defensive & ST points.

Oh yeah. Especially with the portal now.

I just dont think he was saying not to expect improvement at all.

And to your earlier point, you are right. These aren't groundbreaking moves, these are the types of hires he should have been doing for the past 5 years. Once you throw in the AD's connection to TCU, one could even wonder if he wasn't guided into this.

 

[BeamerBall90]

I do expect improvement and do believe a good portal class is very important. It’s delusional to expect a top ranked CFB Playoff team next year. I do agree, Beamer does need to show improvement on the field next year. But to my point, Clemson thought getting the “right” DC would solve all their problems. It didn’t, they were far worse. I like that Beamer cleaned house on offense and has picked a style of offense and is bringing in guys who he believes can run it. I do expect a better result than this past year, just being realistic. He’s still on the hot seat in my book but like what I’ve seen with these hires. As others have noted, our competition isn’t just sitting around , they are working to get better as well. We do have a lot of young talent who have been working to be ready to hit the field. We have some new coaches, still need some portal help so the puzzle is not complete yet. Sure, Indiana has been amazing quickly. Their recruiting class is ranked 33 and last years was 49. They have 17 or so seniors on the depth chart this year. Let’s how they look going forward.

 

[gamecockrev]

I don't think his seat is even warm. With a whole new offensive staff it is almost like a new start. He'll be given time to have players in place to play in Briles system. Do expect to see better results next year, just not the playoffs.

 

[SuperCock99]

I don’t know that Beamer was in the hot seat. But after this horrible season, the only way Beamer makes it into 2026 without being heckled out of Columbia by fans would be to hire several reputable Position Coaches like he just did.

 

[KingWard]

Conventional wisdom said Beamer would face an extremely uphill task in making staff hires due to being on the hot seat. Getting coaches from P4 programs was considered off the table for the most part. But, Beamer went out and hired four P4 assistants. He picked up one of the better known OC names, which should be a massive upgrade over Shula, even if it doesn't produce an explosive offense. The RB hire might be more surprising to me, as Drayton has been almost exclusively at blue blood programs for two decades. I don't know as much about Clements, but he spent time at UNC and FSU prior to TCU (not sure where else). He's probably the weakest of the 3 hires, but should be a considerable upgrade over Teasley.

None of these hires are embattled coaches in desperate situations. I don't doubt any one of them would be able to find work elsewhere in the P4.

It begs the question: If Beamer is on the hot seat, how did he manage to make what appears to be two very good hires and a good hire of coaches from other P4 programs? Obviously, I think we all agree Donati had a heavy hand in the Briles hire, which probably led to the OL coach from TCU as well.

Drayton is the one I really can't figure. He's been at UF, UT, OSU, PSU, Texas. Now USC? For a coach who's on the hot seat? He's only 54, so far from washed up. He's been successful everywhere he's been. His worst results have been decent running games. His best results have been top 10 nationally.

Just doesn't add up.

It adds up if our next head coach turns out to be on his staff right now.

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

Did anyone say he is likely to be fired mid-season? Or that was the only (conspiracy theory alert) way Briles could be brought in as the next HC?

It's not that it's so much explicit in this thread, but implicit here and in others with the "Donati is pulling the strings and orchestrating things for a short and long term game, if needed" talk. Donati being the mastermind behind this is pure speculation at this point and talk of a coaching change mid-season implies a firing. I just find it humorous that there are rumors of some potential positive hirings that get some people excited and before they can even be officially announced it's back to the Beamer possibly being gone next year topic and the hirings possibly being evidence of this scenario. Heaven forbid anyone is slightly hopeful for more than a minute.
But hey, I read it on the internet so it must be true, even if it sounds like a National Enquirer headline along the lines of "An alien from another planet abducted me and I'm having his love child" or "Both Mel Tucker and Sherrone Moore did naughty things with women they weren't married to and got fired". I mean who would believe such nonsense!

 

[Lurker123]

It's not that it's so much explicit in this thread, but implicit here and in others with the "Donati is pulling the strings and orchestrating things for a short and long term game, if needed" talk. Donati being the mastermind behind this is pure speculation at this point and talk of a coaching change mid-season implies a firing. I just find it humorous that there are rumors of some potential positive hirings that get some people excited and before they can even be officially announced it's back to the Beamer possibly being gone next year topic and the hirings possibly being evidence of this scenario. Heaven forbid anyone is slightly hopeful for more than a minute.
But hey, I read it on the internet so it must be true, even if it sounds like a National Enquirer headline along the lines of "An alien from another planet abducted me and I'm having his love child" or "Both Mel Tucker and Sherrone Moore did naughty things with women they weren't married to and got fired". I mean who would believe such nonsense!

Donati being behind it is speculation, but the TCU connection with him would be a pretty amazing coincidence otherwise, right?

I agree the Briles as HC wasn't explicitly sold that way, it was even called "conspiracy theory" esque. I just intended to clarify it that way before it becomes the next example of what "everyone" was saying.

Imho, the truth is pretty simple. We needed an OC. Donati had literally just worked with a guy who's looking. Boom. Done. And the guy brings his OL (or assistant OL?) coach.