Shane Beamer addresses Adkins' medical leave, injuries postgame

South Carolina was without one of its assistant coaches Thursday, and for the time being, with Greg Adkins taking a temporary leave dealing with a medical condition.

After the game, Shane Beamer said it’s a minor medical issue and Adkins shouldn’t be out long term.

“He’s fine. It’s just a minor medical issue. He’s fine. I talked to him yesterday and he was in great spirits,” Beamer said. “Not much more to share. It’s a medical condition he’s taking care of. It don’t think it’s going to be long term. When I talked to him he told me he felt like he’d be back really, really soon.”

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According to a release put out by the university, Adkins is dealing with a minor medical issue while away from the team for the time being.

Lonnie Teasely elevates from analyst to assistant coach in Adkins’ absence. It’s not the first time that’s happened for Teasley, who was the offensive line coach at an FCS school before coming to South Carolina.

Teasley served as interim offensive line coach last season as well for a game while Adkins was out, also dealing with a medical issue then.

Beamer said the line responded well, paving the way for the Gamecocks’ backs to average six yards per carry.

“Lonnie Teasley, who’s acting as the offensive line coach right now, is a phenomenal assistant coach. He was the offensive line coach at North Carolina central before we hired him as an analyst,” he said.

“I’m praying we can keep him around here for a long time and no one else tries to hire him. He’s fantastic. He has a great relationship with the players.”

South Carolina has nine days before its next game, at Kentucky, then a bye week before the rest of its schedule.

That could give Adkins time to come back, if healthy.

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“It’s tough,” Spencer Rattler said, “but we’re always going to stick with him and everything will be all right.”

Beamer also updated injuries after Thursday’s 50-10 win over South Carolina State.

The Gamecocks had three players leave the game with injury—Boogie Huntley, Trai Jones and Devonni Reed—none of which he thinks are long-term issues.

“Boogie is fine. Boogie, Devonni Reed all got banged up in the game but don’t think anything is long-term. Feel like they’re all fine,” Beamer said. “Devonni could have come back in, Trai Jones got his ankle rolled up on at the end and Boogie has been banged up a little bit. He tweaked it again tonight.”

David Spaulding dressed out for the first time in three weeks, although he didn’t get into the game.

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