Shane Beamer will return as South Carolina football coach in 2026

Shane Beamer will return as South Carolina’s head football coach in 2026.

While this has largely been the expected outcome, athletics director Jeremiah Donati confirmed the news to The State’s Jordan Kaye on Tuesday evening.

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The confirmation comes a few days before the Gamecocks (4-7, 1-7 SEC) take on rival Clemson on Saturday.

After going 9-4 last year and coming within a few plays of the College Football Playoff, a disappointing 2025 season is coming to a close for South Carolina.

The Gamecocks lost games in which they had fourth-quarter leads on Missouri, Alabama, and Texas A&M, and were within striking distance of Ole Miss and LSU.

Beamer also fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula and offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley.

Following the Clemson game on Saturday, the fifth-year head coach enters a pivotal offseason. He has vowed to “fix” things.

“We’re not there right now, but I do know next year at this time, we’re going to be sitting here on this Tuesday night watching the playoff rankings to see where we are in ranking show,” Beamer said last week. “And we’re going to be firmly in the mix for a College Football Playoff berth next year at this time. We’re all sick about this feeling, but we’re not going to go through this thing again, and we’re going to finish this season out the right way. … And then the minute that thing hits zero on the clock after the Thanksgiving Weekend game (vs. Clemson), we’re full speed ahead on 2026.”

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