Turning the page: excited for 2026

[18IsTheMan]

I've spent all my negativity. Just watched the intro presser for the 3 new hires. Dang, we picked up 3 football coaches, all veterans at their respective positions. It's apparent these guys just know what they're doing. No question this is the strongest we've been on the offensive staff since Beamer got here. There's a lot to do and A LOT to fix, but these are experienced dudes who have seen it all. No novices in this group. All experts at what they do.

Time will tell how it all comes together, but I'm excited to see the product on the field.

 

[Go Gamecocks]

I've spent all my negativity.

You could have just waited to see what happened....but you have itchy fingers.

 

[18IsTheMan]

You could have just waited to see what happened....but you have itchy fingers.

I live in the moment...for better or worse.

In fairness to me, it was a lousy season. Not a lot of good things to talk about. I'm not very good at polishing turds.

Some are persisting in their negativity, though. We've had nothing but good news for the last 10 days or so. Great recruiting class. Picked up a key flip. Prevented a key flip. Hired 3 proven assistants.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Interestingly, there also seems to be a group of posters who only come around to rebuke those of us when we are being "negative" about the performance of the team. The don't come around much to affirm positive posts.

 

[I4CtheFuture]

Interestingly, there also seems to be a group of posters who only come around to rebuke those of us when we are being "negative" about the performance of the team. The don't come around much to affirm positive posts.

I agree with your post. Just sayin'.

I want to see if Harbor and Sellers are coming back before I return my needle to a fully "neutral" setting but I would say the needle has moved from total collapse to at least not jumping off the bridge. With these hires, recruiting class, etc... we could have done much worse.

 

[Evilchicken]

Sorry, but I am like an abused spouse at this point; I keep saying I’m going to leave but every year the Gamecocks lure me back with empty promises and sweet nothings, only to continue to torture me, let me down, and abuse me. I’m just going to casually observe from a distance at this point until they prove they deserve my love.

 

[sclawman77]

Reserving judgement until I see the product on the field. That said, the recruiting class and new coaching hires appear to be solid steps in the right direction. Interested to see how the portal process works out for us next. The most positive observation I have so far is Donati's close involvement and commitment it appears to helping the football program get on a hopefully successful track.

 

[SouthernBelly]

Interestingly, there also seems to be a group of posters who only come around to rebuke those of us when we are being "negative" about the performance of the team. The don't come around much to affirm positive posts.

Yes. It’s those whom Lurker refers to as the hurt feelings brigade. Defining any level of criticism and the discussion of poor performance to be negative. Fans talk about the team, and matters pertaining to it, if the team sucks most of the discussion is going to be “negative.”

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

I've spent all my negativity. Just watched the intro presser for the 3 new hires. Dang, we picked up 3 football coaches, all veterans at their respective positions. It's apparent these guys just know what they're doing. No question this is the strongest we've been on the offensive staff since Beamer got here. There's a lot to do and A LOT to fix, but these are experienced dudes who have seen it all. No novices in this group. All experts at what they do.

Time will tell how it all comes together, but I'm excited to see the product on the field.

Whaaa....?

I... uh... well... I, I just don't even know you anymore.

Someone please confirm his account hasn't been hacked.

 

[Skuddy]

Sorry, but I am like an abused spouse at this point; I keep saying I’m going to leave but every year the Gamecocks lure me back with empty promises and sweet nothings, only to continue to torture me, let me down, and abuse me. I’m just going to casually observe from a distance at this point until they prove they deserve my love.

I've been doing that since Sept 5, 1998.

 

[sclawman77]

I've been doing that since Sept 5, 1998.

Lol, I was at that Ball State game. I remember leaving the game after it was over thinking we'll be lucky to win another game this season if we play like that...

 

[gamecox4982]

This program is funded on “Wait til Next Year”!

 

[Traildust57]

Looking forward for progression to the mean....

 

[Cackmandu]

Great presser, I’m super excited again, I wonder how long it will be before we hate them!

 

[18IsTheMan]

Great presser, I’m super excited again, I wonder how long it will be before we hate them!

Without a doubt the 3 most reputable coaches at their respective positions we've had in a while.

I'm not expecting 10 wins or anything next year, but I believe 8 could be on the table, which would be a massive turnaround.

The proof is in the pudding, though. As many head scratching hires as Beamer has made since he arrived, it's stunning that he managed to absolutely nail all 3 of these hired simultaneously. It's gotta produce results, though.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

We've had some good recruiting and talent on the team.
I'm looking for player development to elicit maximum talent and maximum effort from the new coaches.

 

[Bubba Fett]

LOL.

Off season is our best season.

 

[18IsTheMan]

LOL.

Off season is our best season.

Depends on season. Offseason after 2023 was miserable. While the 2024 season was very good.

 

[Piscis]

LOL.

Off season is our best season.

South Carolina leads the college football world in August championships.

 

[KingWard]

You know, it's time to turn the page. I believe we will be better coached, but when I look at that schedule - Lord O'Mighty!

 

[Dabo's Weenie]

You know, it's time to turn the page. I believe we will be better coached, but when I look at that schedule - Lord O'Mighty!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy (new offensive) staff they comfort me.

 

[1vagamecock]

You know, it's time to turn the page. I believe we will be better coached, but when I look at that schedule - Lord O'Mighty!

I agree. Through the years I hope I've become prudent if not sagacious.

 

[KingWard]

I agree. Through the years I hope I've become prudent if not sagacious.

I think it's sagacious to be prudent most of the time.

 

[SouthernBelly]

Great presser, I’m super excited again, I wonder how long it will be before we hate them!

Well I for one refuse to sit idly by…so I will get a head start. I hate them.

 

[18IsTheMan]

You know, it's time to turn the page. I believe we will be better coached, but when I look at that schedule - Lord O'Mighty!

It's not quite as daunting as this year. There's nothing close to the brutal 5-game gauntlet we had this season.

 

[Lurker123]

It's not quite as daunting as this year. There's nothing close to the brutal 5-game gauntlet we had this season.

In hindsight, should LSU count as that, or was it a 4 game gauntlet?

 

[SouthernBelly]

In hindsight, should LSU count as that, or was it a 4 game gauntlet?

This season even SC St was part of the gauntlet

 

[treyno2722]

If LaNorris returns and the OL improves then we can be better. I definitely won't say 10-2 or 9-3 but 8-4 or 7-5. The nine conference games won't be fun.

 

[kidrobinski]

It's not quite as daunting as this year. There's nothing close to the brutal 5-game gauntlet we had this season.

And yet with the exception of Oklahoma, we were right in there; Mississippi got away at the end. With all out faults. That’s why some of us old timers get defensive at the snark, hate, and one liners; that gauntlet used to be east Carolina, Duke, Pitt, wake forest, and nc state. Now in the era where you can legally pay players (spare me the bit about each team’s equal ’salary cap’ BS please) we’re disgusted and making fun of our own coach because we’re not beating LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, ole Miss, and Texas A&M, three of them on the road. The response to this will of course be ‘we have the money too’, ‘win or be gone’, ‘hire someone like Cignetti’, ‘nothing will change until we demand it’, etc. That’s today’s college football fan mind set, I get it. And us old timers that still love football for its own sake will die off soon enough; I hope the rest of you get what you think will make you happy.

 

[SouthernBelly]

And yet with the exception of Oklahoma, we were right in there; Mississippi got away at the end. With all out faults. That’s why some of us old timers get defensive at the snark, hate, and one liners; that gauntlet used to be east Carolina, Duke, Pitt, wake forest, and nc state. Now in the era where you can legally pay players (spare me the bit about each team’s equal ’salary cap’ BS please) we’re disgusted and making fun of our own coach because we’re not beating LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, ole Miss, and Texas A&M, three of them on the road. The response to this will of course be ‘we have the money too’, ‘win or be gone’, ‘hire someone like Cignetti’, ‘nothing will change until we demand it’, etc. That’s today’s college football fan mind set, I get it. And us old timers that still love football for its own sake will die off soon enough; I hope the rest of you get what you think will make you happy.

Thank you for sharing your feelings with the group.

 

[18IsTheMan]

And yet with the exception of Oklahoma, we were right in there; Mississippi got away at the end. With all out faults. That’s why some of us old timers get defensive at the snark, hate, and one liners; that gauntlet used to be east Carolina, Duke, Pitt, wake forest, and nc state. Now in the era where you can legally pay players (spare me the bit about each team’s equal ’salary cap’ BS please) we’re disgusted and making fun of our own coach because we’re not beating LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, ole Miss, and Texas A&M, three of them on the road. The response to this will of course be ‘we have the money too’, ‘win or be gone’, ‘hire someone like Cignetti’, ‘nothing will change until we demand it’, etc. That’s today’s college football fan mind set, I get it. And us old timers that still love football for its own sake will die off soon enough; I hope the rest of you get what you think will make you happy.

Don't really follow your train of thought there....I'm not actually sure there is one. How long one has been a USC fan is irrelevant. Whether it's been 15 years, 30 years, 50 years or 70 years, it's the same thing. Carolina football in 2025 is no different from Carolina football in 1995 or 1955. Being a self-proclaimed "old timer" is a meaningless badge of honor.

The frustration from this past season is EXACTLY because several of those games were winnable. If we had a competent offense, we'd have been at least an 8-win team this season. Our demise this season was self-inflicted by the historically inexplicable decision to retain Teasley and then further compounded by the befuddling promotion of Mike Shula to OC, who at 59 years of age had never called plays in college. The horrendous OL is what largely torpedoed our season, and it was wholly predictable and preventable. So, yeah, it's annoying when you keep losing game after winnable game purely b/c the head coach made 2 predictably horrendous personnel moves.

But, like I said, turning the page. These 3 hires are objectively good, and I look forward to seeing the results on the field.

 

[Piscis]

Don't really follow your train of thought there....I'm not actually sure there is one. How long one has been a USC fan is irrelevant. Whether it's been 15 years, 30 years, 50 years or 70 years, it's the same thing. Carolina football in 2025 is no different from Carolina football in 1995 or 1955. Being a self-proclaimed "old timer" is a meaningless badge of honor.

The frustration from this past season is EXACTLY because several of those games were winnable. If we had a competent offense, we'd have been at least an 8-win team this season. Our demise this season was self-inflicted by the historically inexplicable decision to retain Teasley and then further compounded by the befuddling promotion of Mike Shula to OC, who at 59 years of age had never called plays in college. The horrendous OL is what largely torpedoed our season, and it was wholly predictable and preventable. So, yeah, it's annoying when you keep losing game after winnable game purely b/c the head coach made 2 predictably horrendous personnel moves.

But, like I said, turning the page. These 3 hires are objectively good, and I look forward to seeing the results on the field.

I'd say a few factors outside of the coaching staff made 2025 a terrible season.

First, the OL. Before the season, everyone was certain the OL was going to be much better. We had all that talent we had recruited and signed in 2023/24. It turned out that talent was great HS talent that didn't develop or translate to even adequate college level talent. All of the talk around Teasley was what a great recruiter he was.

Second, Sellers. In August, everyone was 100% certain Sellers was going to be a legitimate Heisman candidate and a possible (probable to some) first player selected in the draft. Sadly, Sellers showed himself to be a one trick pony, miraculously scrambling for gains on busted plays. When DCs schemed to contain him from scrambling for gains, he was revealed to be a mediocre at best college QB. Shula wasn't great by any means but maybe he saw what he really had at QB and realized there was only so much he could do.

Finally, the curse of high expectations in general. Being ranked in the top 15 to start the season was possibly the cruelest trick to play on the fan base. By setting expectations of being a real playoff contender with a Heisman level QB, anything under 10 wins was going to be a disappointment. Gamecock fans should know better than to buy in to August happy talk, but they can't help themselves. They set themselves up for crushing disappointment almost every season. The 9-3 regular season record in 2024 was something of an illusion. There were three wins that looked much better on paper than they were in real life. aTm and OU were not good teams last season and, let's be honest, the Clemson win was pretty unlikely. The bowl game was a glimpse into reality but no one wanted to acknowledge it.

Hopefully, the new hires help. I do wonder what happens if 2026 is a 6-6 or 7-5 season. Will Donati stick with Beamer or will he make a move?

 

[kidrobinski]

Don't really follow your train of thought there....

Didn’t expect you to chief, as your response demonstrates. Some see trees, some see forests. I post to the former, when they too can stomach being on here.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Didn’t expect you to chief, as your response demonstrates. Some see trees, some see forests. I post to the former, when they too can stomach being on here.

And some, like me, are able to simultaneously see the forest and the trees that make up the forest.

 

[Piscis]

Didn’t expect you to chief, as your response demonstrates. Some see trees, some see forests. I post to the former, when they too can stomach being on here.

I follow your train of thought perfectly. You are the classic South Carolina football fan. I guess it is some sort of self defense mechanism. You find some pleasure and comfort in games that were "almost won" or games where SC won the statistical battle but lost on the scoreboard. If you didn't have that mindset, you would either be perpetually miserable or you would have quit following the team.

You are a gamecock fan, win or lose.

 

[Lurker123]

Gamecock fans should know better than to buy in to August happy talk, but they can't help themselves.

And "we" will again this year. A couple announcements of returning players, and the hirings of the new coaches have people excited now.

Can you imagine what its going to be like by August?

 

[Lurker123]

Didn’t expect you to chief, as your response demonstrates. Some see trees, some see forests. I post to the former, when they too can stomach being on here.

Calm down, dry the tears. Not everyone has a dad who coached flag football.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I'd say a few factors outside of the coaching staff made 2025 a terrible season.

First, the OL. Before the season, everyone was certain the OL was going to be much better. We had all that talent we had recruited and signed in 2023/24. It turned out that talent was great HS talent that didn't develop or translate to even adequate college level talent. All of the talk around Teasley was what a great recruiter he was.

Second, Sellers. In August, everyone was 100% certain Sellers was going to be a legitimate Heisman candidate and a possible (probable to some) first player selected in the draft. Sadly, Sellers showed himself to be a one trick pony, miraculously scrambling for gains on busted plays. When DCs schemed to contain him from scrambling for gains, he was revealed to be a mediocre at best college QB. Shula wasn't great by any means but maybe he saw what he really had at QB and realized there was only so much he could do.

Finally, the curse of high expectations in general. Being ranked in the top 15 to start the season was possibly the cruelest trick to play on the fan base. By setting expectations of being a real playoff contender with a Heisman level QB, anything under 10 wins was going to be a disappointment. Gamecock fans should know better than to buy in to August happy talk, but they can't help themselves. They set themselves up for crushing disappointment almost every season. The 9-3 regular season record in 2024 was something of an illusion. There were three wins that looked much better on paper than they were in real life. aTm and OU were not good teams last season and, let's be honest, the Clemson win was pretty unlikely. The bowl game was a glimpse into reality but no one wanted to acknowledge it.

Hopefully, the new hires help. I do wonder what happens if 2026 is a 6-6 or 7-5 season. Will Donati stick with Beamer or will he make a move?

Hard to say.

I absolutely cannot excuse the decision to retain Teasley. The OL was atrocious for 2 seasons running yet he was retained AND given an enormous raise. With just a better OL and no other changes, we probably pick up a couple more wins.

I don't know about the Sellers piece. Was it him? Was it the OL? Was it Shula? Some combination of some/all of those factors? For our sakes, we should hope it was just a terrible OL and Shula. If so, we should expect to see marked improvement under Briles. However, I did read one analysis of his decision to return this year and it noted that it was in his best interest for further development and specifically mentioned poor field vision, which is something several have commented on. He totally missed a potentially game-winning TD against Clemson and instead threw a bad pass for a pick 6.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I follow your train of thought perfectly. You are the classic South Carolina football fan. I guess it is some sort of self defense mechanism. You find some pleasure and comfort in games that were "almost won" or games where SC won the statistical battle but lost on the scoreboard. If you didn't have that mindset, you would either be perpetually miserable or you would have quit following the team.

You are a gamecock fan, win or lose.

Not all close losses are created equal. Some games you can take a measure of consolation in playing to a close loss. Others you lose a game that is just sitting there begging you to win it and you simply can't.

I don't see how any Gamecock fan could come away from the LSU game with any sense of "well, we almost won." That game was just sitting there, pleading with us to win it. It's almost like LSU didn't even want to win it.

 

[18IsTheMan]

...though there is a part of me that fully expects our very first offensive snap of 2026 to be a false start. Because, well, because.....