South Carolina Fires Offensive Coordinator Mike Shula After Nine Games
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Less than a year after being hired to lead South Carolina’s offense, Mike Shula is out. Head coach Shane Beamer officially parted ways with Shula on Monday, ending the veteran coach’s brief and turbulent tenure in Columbia.
The decision comes exactly 320 days after Shula was named South Carolina’s offensive coordinator, a hire that initially brought optimism and experience to Beamer’s young staff. But after nine games of dismal offensive play — the worst statistical output in the SEC — Beamer decided it was time to make a change.
“This was not an easy decision,” a team source told The State. “But the offense simply wasn’t progressing, and Coach Beamer felt the program needed a new direction heading into the final stretch of the season.”
A Costly Move for the Gamecocks
Shula’s departure will come with a significant financial hit. The Gamecocks signed him to a three-year, $3.3 million contract in December 2024, paying him $1.1 million annually — making him the second-highest-paid assistant on staff behind defensive coordinator Clayton White.
That contract means South Carolina will owe Shula a sizable buyout, a notable strain on the athletic department’s budget amid ongoing facility projects and future recruiting commitments.
A Struggling Offense and Mounting Pressure
South Carolina’s offensive woes were well-documented throughout the 2025 campaign. The Gamecocks ranked last in the SEC in both total offense and scoring, averaging fewer than 21 points per game and struggling to find consistency in both the passing and running games.
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers showed flashes of potential, but protection issues, play-calling inconsistencies, and a lack of rhythm plagued the unit. The low point came in recent losses that saw the Gamecocks fail to score a touchdown in multiple halves and struggle to sustain drives.
Fans and analysts alike had begun to question the scheme and play-calling — areas directly tied to Shula’s leadership.
Beamer’s First Major Firing as Head Coach
Since taking over the program in 2021, Shane Beamer had built a reputation for loyalty and stability within his staff. But this marks the first coordinator firing of his tenure, signaling a possible shift in philosophy as pressure mounts for the Gamecocks to return to competitiveness in the SEC East.
Beamer’s next hire will be crucial — not only to reignite an offense that has fallen flat but also to restore confidence in his leadership as South Carolina tries to salvage the remainder of the season and stabilize its recruiting momentum.
What Comes Next
While Beamer has not yet named an interim offensive coordinator, sources close to the program suggest that quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains or analyst Freddie Kitchens could assume play-calling duties on an interim basis.
As South Carolina looks toward its final three games — and a chance at bowl eligibility — all eyes will be on how the team responds to this midseason shake-up.
One thing is clear: the Gamecocks’ offense needed a reset, and Shane Beamer just pulled the first major lever of his tenure to make it happen.
