South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer met with the media on Tuesday to preview the Gamecocks’ upcoming trip to College Station to face Texas A&M. The matchup is set for noon Saturday on ESPN, and Beamer had plenty to say — from recruiting success to his decision to fire Mike Shula and hand over play-calling duties to Mike Furrey.
Bye Week Boost and Recruiting Push
Beamer opened with optimism, saying the bye week came at a perfect time for both players and coaches.
“Bye week was good. Hope it was good for everyone,” Beamer said. “We had a really good three days of work… then the players got a break while I went out recruiting.”
The Gamecocks’ head coach emphasized how productive the recruiting trail has been this fall, calling the response from recruits “fantastic.”
“There’s a lot of excitement out there with the group of guys that’s committed and the class of ’27 that we’re recruiting,” he added.
Facing a Red-Hot Texas A&M
Beamer acknowledged the massive challenge awaiting his team at Kyle Field.
“They’re good at everything and very efficient,” he said. “Offense, defense, and special teams — all clicking. Coach Mike Elko has done an awesome job out there.”
Despite the odds, Beamer expressed genuine excitement about playing in one of college football’s most electric venues.
“This is one of my favorite places in the league to go play. The tradition, the pageantry, the atmosphere — it’s awesome.”
The Offensive Shift: Furrey’s Fresh Voice
When asked how much has changed offensively since Mike Shula’s firing, Beamer said there have been “tweaks” rather than drastic overhauls.
“There’s been some takeout, but also some add,” Beamer explained. “You can’t have radical changes, but there are things Mike [Furrey] and the staff want to emphasize.”
Furrey’s energy has already made an impression.
“He’s got that swag,” Beamer said with a grin. “He’s talking trash to defensive backs in practice — and that confidence has spread through the offense.”
Players’ Reaction to Shula’s Firing
Beamer admitted it was tough for the team, especially the quarterbacks, to process Shula’s dismissal.
“They were disappointed. That’s their position coach, and you grow close with that guy,” Beamer said. “We all had a hand in it — myself, players, coaches. We let him down.”
Still, Beamer praised his team for staying focused.
“They’ve handled it the right way,” he said. “Now we’ve got to go play well on Saturday — which is easier said than done against this crew.”
LaNorris Sellers’ Progress
Beamer also praised young quarterback LaNorris Sellers for his composure and growth.
“He’s been steady,” Beamer said. “I like how he’s practiced, how he’s throwing it, how he’s operating. We just need to keep getting him better every week.”
The staff has made adjustments to fit Sellers’ strengths.
“It’s about what LaNorris is comfortable with,” Beamer explained. “We’ve built the game plan around that.”
Furrey’s Role and the Road Ahead
Beamer hasn’t decided if Furrey will call plays from the field or press box but made it clear Furrey will run the offense as he sees fit.
“I told Mike to put the staff wherever they need to be to operate most efficiently,” he said.
When asked about the long-term outlook, Beamer didn’t rule out making Furrey the permanent offensive coordinator.
“I’m not closing the door on anything,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in him. He’s a great coach, and he’s brought energy back to that room.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Beamer confirmed that he’ll evaluate all options in the offseason, with two offensive staff openings to fill.
“Whoever gives us the best chance to be successful — that’s who we’ll hire,” he said. “Whether that’s someone from the NFL, college, or already here, we’ve got to score more points and be more consistent.”
Confidence Ahead of Texas A&M
Despite the Gamecocks’ record, Beamer insisted there’s reason for optimism.
“Have you watched us play all season?” he asked reporters. “We’ve been in every game, had every chance to win in the fourth quarter. No one can question the effort of this team.”
He hinted that the new offensive leadership could throw off A&M’s defensive schemes.
“You always want to show teams something they haven’t seen before,” Beamer said. “With a new playcaller, maybe there are a few wrinkles they won’t expect.”
Final Thoughts
Beamer knows the pressure is on but believes the Gamecocks can surprise people in College Station.
“We’ve got competitors on this team,” he said. “We’re excited to go out there, compete our butts off, and finish strong.”
