Hot Take: Beamer’s Staff Choices Are Holding South Carolina Back
The Gamecocks’ struggles under Shane Beamer have raised questions — and one big critique is the quality of his assistant coaching hires.
Shane Beamer’s assistant coaching hires are under significant scrutiny, largely due to concerns about experience, performance, and past coaching records. Many of his assistant coaches have prior roles where the results weren’t stellar—below .500 records, or limited experience at high levels of competition. On the other hand, the university has shown confidence in Beamer’s choices by raising their salaries and extending contracts, apparently buying in to his vision.
But the criticisms aren’t baseless: repeated poor offensive starts, games with negative outcomes in areas like the run game, and questions over how well some assistants are qualified are all of interest. Whether these hinder or hold him back depends a lot on whether the upcoming games show real improvement.
Analysis: Issues with Shane Beamer’s Assistant Coaching Staff
Below are criticisms that fans and analysts have levied at Shane Beamer’s coaching hires. Some are valid concerns, others need more evidence.
Take a look at the résumés:
Key Criticisms (with quotes)
- Lonnie Teasley (Offensive Line Coach): Previously coached OL at North Carolina Central.
Critics say: “Coach Beamer doesn’t hire quality assistant coaches… Lonnie Teasley – OL Coach previous stop North Carolina Central OL Coach.” - Mike Shula (Offensive Coordinator): Former NFL assistant (with the Buffalo Bills among others) and many stops; often perceived as having underwhelmed. “Mike Shula- OC was previously Buffalo Bills Offensive assistant after many failed stops in the NFL…”
Shawn Elliot (Run Game Coordinator): Critics point to a disastrous performance vs Missouri (negative rushing yards), and also that his head coaching record (at Georgia State, 2017–2023) was 41-44, i.e. below .500.
“Shawn Elliot- Run Game Coordinator just had a wonderful -9 yards against Missouri. Elliot was head coach at Georgia State from 2017-2023. His record was 41-44 below .500.”
Mike Furrey (WR Coach): His prior head coaching experience was at Limestone (Division II), where his record was 33–34 over six seasons — another below .
“Mike Furrey- WR Coach who was previously a Head Coach at Limestone D2 school. His record was 33-34 over six seasons another below .500 coach.”
Jordan Dove (DL Assistant): Weak experience. Dove reportedly moved from equipment manager in 2023 to Assistant DL coach in the SEC. Gamecock alum, but very little prior coaching experience.
“Jordan Dove- DL Assistant Coach who has been coaching DL since Robertson got in a wreck. Dove went from equipment manger in 2023 to assistant DL Coach in the SEC. He is a Gamecock grad but still no experience on coaching.”
John Rudnicki (Assistant RB Coach): Previously a Graduate Assistant at South Alabama; critics may feel he lacks elite pedigree moving from a smaller conference to the SEC.
“John Rudnicki -Assistant RB Coach who was a GA at South Alabama. He came from SBC to SEC…”
Davis Koetter (Assistant QB Coach): Played WR in college (Portland State), not QB. Critics argue limited experience playing QB at a high level reduces credibility for coaching that position.
“Davis Koetter – Assistant QB Coach who has no experience playing QB in college. He played WR at Portland State. He did play QB in high school but still very little experiences.”
What Research & Reporting Adds
I found some facts that put both strengths and weaknesses in context:
- The South Carolina program under Beamer has indeed improved in recruiting, blue-chip ratios, and transfer classes. SI
- The school has committed to the staff: in 2025, all ten assistant coaches were issued new contracts, with across-the-board raises. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula got a 3-year deal starting at about $1.1 million/year. OL coach Lonnie Teasley saw a major raise—from $410,000 to roughly $675,000.
Beamer has also acknowledged concerns over offensive performance specifically (slow starts, inconsistencies) and has said these are areas for improvement. SI
On defense, there has been some criticism, especially early, but also some improvement late in seasons. Critics of defensive coordinator Clayton White have been loud. Beamer has had “hard conversations” with White about how to improve.
