What pressure is Beamer under this season?

[18IsTheMan]

Any?

His job is obviously safe, regardless of the season's outcome. Even a winless campaign wouldn't cost him his job. However, for whatever their opinion is worth, many pundits see this as a make or break year for Beamer in terms of making the playoffs, largely on the basis that they believe we have a generational QB in Sellers and this is his last year with the program. I definitely think there is pressure in that sense since you don't get QBs with Sellers seeming ability very often. If we go 7-5 or 8-4 with a generational QB, I think that will feel a bit "blah" for many. So if you look at making the playoffs, I do think there is a good bit of pressure to make it happen this season.

This is all based on assumption of course. We don't know yet that Sellers is a generational talent. And we don't know that there's not a generational talent behind him on the roster.

 

[Lurker123]

No pressure for record.

Not sure about the pressure to make the playoffs. Sellers should show he's a generational qb before we slam anyone for failing to take advantage of him being a generational qb.

 

[sclawman77]

Expectations are pretty high this year I would say in general from the fanbase and some pundits (we'll have a preseason ranking, probably be picked to make the playoff by a few but not to win the SEC). I'm taking a "wait and see" approach. No impact on his job security though as previously stated.

 

[Maccmaine12]

Pretty high pressure. Doesn’t have anything to do with him losing his job though but year 5 is an important year for coaches and he has one of the best QBs in the nation so it’s limited excuses to be made if we fall on our face this season.

 

[Maccmaine12]

No pressure for record.

Not sure about the pressure to make the playoffs. Sellers should show he's a generational qb before we slam anyone for failing to take advantage of him being a generational qb.

I’m sure he showed most ppl with eyes that he’s pretty generational. You can’t name 3 QBs that could break 18 tackles in a game and also throw the ball down the field the way that he can.

 

[Lurker123]

I’m sure he showed most ppl with eyes that he’s pretty generational. You can’t name 3 QBs that could break 18 tackles in a game and also throw the ball down the field the way that he can.

Okay, that is certainly one opinion on the matter. But going to wait and see if he actually does it before crowning him.

 

[Cobie]

Virtually Zero.

Beamer got the big contract extension from the unexpected success of last season. He's in the catbird seat.

His standout QB is making approx. $4 million for the year. He's all set.

The staff is currently tied (or better) for wins with the best staff in our history (Spurrier) after 4 seasons. That's very relevant.

And they are doing this with a fraction of the budget of many other Top 25 teams.

Life is pretty good at the moment.

With that said, there's obviously always some pressure for a USC Coach to collect at least 5 wins in a season.

But I can't see much beyond that.

His biggest concern at the moment is probably trying to keep the run-happy Sellers healthy throughout the season again.

 

[92Pony]

Slightly off-topic from OP's question, but this-coming season scares me. Seller's is getting a crazy amount of hype. Therefore, the team is expected to have great success. Meanwhile, I'm sitting here thinking about all of the NFL talent we lost from last year's D as well as RB. As a lonnnngtime Gamecock fan, I've seen how this kind of hype plays out....


I don't think there's any results-based pressure on Beamer - as noted, there isn't much football-related that would get him canned. I imagine he knows he's now expected to WIN with Sellers. But I'm betting he's confident enough in his plan and recruiting to not be terribly worried if it doesn't happen this year. He's confident that he's building toward the ultimate success.

 

[Piscis]

No pressure at all. As long as Beamer can put together 6 or 7 wins, he is as safe as if he were in his mother's arms. He has beaten Clemson twice and won 9 games last season. Unless the team totally collapsed and had a 2 or 3 win season combined with multiple off field issues or Beamer himself gets caught up in some sort of sexual assault/harassment scandal, he is under no pressure at all this season.

I have not seen one article or talking head name South Carolina as a playoff team this year. The only pressure to get in the playoff is coming from delusional Carolina fans who honestly believed we were somehow snubbed last year (we were not).

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

What pressure is Beamer under this season?​

About 38 PSI

 

[sclawman77]

No pressure at all. As long as Beamer can put together 6 or 7 wins, he is as safe as if he were in his mother's arms. He has beaten Clemson twice and won 9 games last season. Unless the team totally collapsed and had a 2 or 3 win season combined with multiple off field issues or Beamer himself gets caught up in some sort of sexual assault/harassment scandal, he is under no pressure at all this season.

I have not seen one article or talking head name South Carolina as a playoff team this year. The only pressure to get in the playoff is coming from delusional Carolina fans who honestly believed we were somehow snubbed last year (we were not).

I wouldn't be surprised to see 7 or 8 wins but the fans are going to be disappointed if we don't make the playoffs with a Heisman contender qb. No one is questioning Beamer's job security but 6 wins and a sorry bowl would be considered disappointing as well.

Fox Sports analyst names South Carolina as one of nation's most likely first-time College Football Playoff teams

South Carolina football featured prominently in Fox Sports' Joel Klatt's rankings of potential first-time College Football Playoff teams.

www.on3.com

South Carolina Gamecocks Listed as Team 'That Could Shock Everyone'

After a dramatic turnaround that took the South Carolina Gamecocks from a five-win team to a nine-win team that was “snubbed” of a playoff berth, there are a lo

www.si.com

 

[Cobie]

I wouldn't be surprised to see 7 or 8 wins but the fans are going to be disappointed if we don't make the playoffs with a Heisman contender qb. No one is questioning Beamer's job security but 6 wins and a sorry bowl would be considered disappointing as well.

Fox Sports analyst names South Carolina as one of nation's most likely first-time College Football Playoff teams

South Carolina football featured prominently in Fox Sports' Joel Klatt's rankings of potential first-time College Football Playoff teams.

www.on3.com

South Carolina Gamecocks Listed as Team 'That Could Shock Everyone'

After a dramatic turnaround that took the South Carolina Gamecocks from a five-win team to a nine-win team that was “snubbed” of a playoff berth, there are a lo

www.si.com

No doubt that's true. Sellers has garnered the media buzz in the offseason and fans are high on those fumes.

The issue is depth though. (as always) If our Heisman Contender QB doesn't have anyone to throw it to and we can't run the ball with any consistency, he's going to be boxed in by highly talented SEC defenses who will obviously have his number circled.

IMO, this upcoming season is almost as big of a question mark last season, even with Sellers on the payroll. We're now a team of consistent wait-and-see uncertainty as we're scrambling each offseason to find key puzzle pieces that might make or break us. This is in direct constrast to teams with the deep pockets and can pay their studs with still plenty of pocket change to keep their other key downstream pieces in place who already very familar with their team roles.

Regarding the playoffs, we're likely going to have to finish in the Top 4 of the SEC Standings to get in. That's the big rub and it's a very tall task regardless of the success we have moving the ball and on defense. ESPN current has our SOS at #7 in the nation. So if we were to make the playoff, it would easily be considered one of our Top 3 teams in history.

 

[sclawman77]

No doubt that's true. Sellers has garnered the media buzz in the offseason and fans are high on those fumes.

The issue is depth though. (as always) If our Heisman Contender QB doesn't have anyone to throw it to and we can't run the ball with any consistency, he's going to be boxed in by highly talented SEC defenses who will obviously have his number circled.

IMO, this upcoming season is almost as big of a question mark last season, even with Sellers on the payroll. We're now a team of consistent wait-and-see uncertainty as we're scrambling each offseason to find key puzzle pieces that might make or break us. This is in direct constrast to teams with the deep pockets and can pay their studs with still plenty of pocket change to keep their other key downstream pieces in place who already very familar with their team roles.

Regarding the playoffs, we're likely going to have to finish in the Top 4 of the SEC Standings to get in. That's the big rub and it's a very tall task regardless of the success we have moving the ball and on defense. ESPN current has our SOS at #7 in the nation. So if we were to make the playoff, it would easily be considered one of our Top 3 teams in history.

Valid points. I totally understand there are big holes to fill on offense and defense. Having a tough schedule only makes things more challenging. I'm certainly not talking up playoffs as any certainty but with all the press that Sellers is garnering the fans are going to expect solid results-realistic or not.

 

[Cobie]

Valid points. I totally understand there are big holes to fill on offense and defense. Having a tough schedule only makes things more challenging. I'm certainly not talking up playoffs as any certainty but with all the press that Sellers is garnering the fans are going to expect solid results-realistic or not.

For sure. I personally don't believe the AD or Coaching Staff worries much about that faction of the fanbase though. Their primary interest is getting fans to fill the seats each Saturday and yearly donation figures. Any success beyond that is a bonus.

 

[sclawman77]

For sure. I personally don't believe the AD or Coaching Staff worries much about that faction of the fanbase though. Their primary interest is getting fans to fill the seats each Saturday and yearly donation figures. Any success beyond that is a bonus.

That's believable but we still need to have a decent season. I think with 9 wins last year and just missing the playoffs you have to admit 6 wins and a crap bowl with an elite qb would be a letdown. I don't want to do too much predicting but there needs to be progression.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I have not seen one article or talking head name South Carolina as a playoff team this year.

There have been numerous that have named us a serious playoff contender. A couple of the most recent are provided in post #11 above. We've been a very trendy pick. Even Paul Finebaum, who doesn't often speak favorably us mentioned us in the playoffs:

https://athlonsports.com/college/south-carolina-gamecocks/paul-finebaum-believes-south-carolina-will-make-its-first-college-football-playoff-in-2025

Adam Breneman also: https://www.on3.com/teams/south-car...C0rCVoXLzfgWBoiLxA_aem_VJjDY-VT7xkppWFtCbjwKA

Also this one: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...-south-carolina/ar-AA1yloxS?ocid=BingNewsVerp

And this one: https://www.si.com/college/southcar...e-football-playoff-debut-in-2025-01jwrgx24x20

lol, so we've provided 6 articles from talking heads that project us to the playoffs or list us as a strong playoff contender. And these are just the ones I can easily pull up on Google. There have been others.

 

[Piscis]

There have been numerous that have named us a serious playoff contender. A couple of the most recent are provided in post #11 above. We've been a very trendy pick. Even Paul Finebaum, who doesn't often speak favorably us mentioned us in the playoffs:

https://athlonsports.com/college/south-carolina-gamecocks/paul-finebaum-believes-south-carolina-will-make-its-first-college-football-playoff-in-2025

Adam Breneman also: https://www.on3.com/teams/south-car...C0rCVoXLzfgWBoiLxA_aem_VJjDY-VT7xkppWFtCbjwKA

Also this one: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...-south-carolina/ar-AA1yloxS?ocid=BingNewsVerp

And this one: https://www.si.com/college/southcar...e-football-playoff-debut-in-2025-01jwrgx24x20

lol, so we've provided 6 articles from talking heads that project us to the playoffs or list us as a strong playoff contender. And these are just the ones I can easily pull up on Google. There have been others.

Ironically, I saw an article about an hour after I posted that.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Ironically, I saw an article about an hour after I posted that.

I should clarify that I do not personally see us making the playoffs. I fear we could have a very disappointing record this season, but I naturally tend towards pessimism in these areas. We have a shot at a strong start that I could see pushing into the top 10 but then the schedule just turns brutal.

 

[Piscis]

I should clarify that I do not personally see us making the playoffs. I fear we could have a very disappointing record this season, but I naturally tend towards pessimism in these areas. We have a shot at a strong start that I could see pushing into the top 10 but then the schedule just turns brutal.

I think the bigger (biggest?) issue is that the team is basically Sellers on O and Stewart on D and then a cast of no names. Some may turn out to be great but I don't see enough talent up and down the roster to be optimistic about the playoff. The roster also appears to be a mile wide and an inch deep. Injuries to a few key players could derail the whole season. A 4-0 start looks like it should be expected, then things get tougher.

It seems to be a genetic trait of gamecock fans to hang great hopes for the season on a player or two and to ignore a lack of talent across the board or lack of depth. The teams that win big year in and year out have talent that is deep and wide.

 

[will110]

There's always going to be pressure on the head football coach at any SEC school outside of Vanderbilt. There's zero pressure from a job security perspective.

There will, however, be talk of firing him from some fans as soon as Carolina loses a game this fall.

 

[18IsTheMan]

There will, however, be talk of firing him from some fans as soon as Carolina loses a game this fall.

That would be surprising to me. If we stumble to a bad record (5 wins or less) I can see some fans reverting to questioning whether he's the man for the job.

 

[will110]

That would be surprising to me. If we stumble to a bad record (5 wins or less) I can see some fans reverting to questioning whether he's the man for the job.

Some fans will.

The "fire everybody immediately" crowd.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Some fans will.

The "fire everybody immediately" crowd.

With a presumed Heisman candidate under center, I suppose I could see some of that if the season absolutely goes off the rails and Sellers regresses tremendously.

Some in the fan base have questions/reservations about Shula after our lackluster bowl performance. If, under his tutelage, Sellers regresses, I can see fans calling Shula a bad hire, in which case Beamer will have made 3 bad/meh OC hires. Perhaps that could translate to "he can't evaluate coaching talent and needs to go".

 

[Lurker123]

Some fans will.

The "fire everybody immediately" crowd.

Last year had to buy one year off from that. Blow this year, and the discussions will happen about next year being a hinge year. But he could go 2-10, and the talk should be about the next season, not firing immediately.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

That would be surprising to me. If we stumble to a bad record (5 wins or less) I can see some fans reverting to questioning whether he's the man for the job.

5 wins or less will do that to a fanbase.

 

[Cobie]

That's believable but we still need to have a decent season. I think with 9 wins last year and just missing the playoffs you have to admit 6 wins and a crap bowl with an elite qb would be a letdown. I don't want to do too much predicting but there needs to be progression.

It would be disappointing - yet but not a total surprise if that were to happen. We lost alot of good players last season. The defense had 5 players advance to the NFL. That doesn't even include players like Debo Williams who were really at the heart of the D's success.

Again, it's just a wait-and-see situation. I typically set my expectations around the mean (e.g. recruiting rank w/ 3 year lag) and at least half of our games are against teams who have outrecruited us as a whole over that time period.

This way you're pleasantly surprised if you get an 8 or 9 win season (5-to-7 wins being chalk), and it's also serves as a good metric to measure the coaching staff performance as well.

 

[Go Gamecocks]

I should clarify that I do not personally see us making the playoffs. I fear we could have a very disappointing record this season, but I naturally tend towards pessimism in these areas. We have a shot at a strong start that I could see pushing into the top 10 but then the schedule just turns brutal.

Yup....could be real brutal.

 

[Lurker123]

Yup....could be real brutal.

I had the order of games confused originally. This schedule seems very uneven. We need to start off good as it will get much tougher.

 

[sclawman77]

I had the order of games confused originally. This schedule seems very uneven. We need to start off good as it will get much tougher.

That 4 game stretch against LSU, OU, Bama, Ole Miss looks especially tough (OU and Bama are at home) then after an open date we go on the road against A&M.

 

[Go Gamecocks]

I had the order of games confused originally. This schedule seems very uneven. We need to start off good as it will get much tougher.

Almost certain some of those teams are going to be really good. It's crazy with NIL/portal. Everyone with $$ gets a chance to reload.

 

[Piscis]

That 4 game stretch against LSU, OU, Bama, Ole Miss looks especially tough (OU and Bama are at home) then after an open date we go on the road against A&M.

4 of those 5 could easily be losses and Clemson looks to be loaded this season. OU might have imploded by the time they come to town. I think Venables is coaching for his job this season but OU hasn't shown much of anything since he got there.

 

[KingWard]

From my perspective, the only pressure on him is to never again be disgracefully punked by the opposing head coach while hobbling his greatest offensive weapon the way he did in Orlando. As long as he avoids those follies, the pressure on him regarding record will be negligible THIS season, but not subsequent ones.

 

[gamecock stock]

I don't think there is any more pressure on him this year, than that usually for most Head Coaches. Produce a 2023-type season, then the seat warms up in subsequent ones.

 

[Jamesporan]

Great