Shane Beamer Explains Why Geoff Collins Was the Right Fit for South Carolina’s Staff
When it comes to building his coaching staff, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer doesn’t make hires just to fill a position — every move has to be intentional and strategic. That philosophy was front and center with the addition of veteran coach Geoff Collins, who joined the Gamecocks as a senior defensive assistant.
“There’s a reason for every hire,” Beamer said during Monday’s Birdies with Beamer event. “He’s a really talented coach. You look at his background — the places he’s been, who he’s worked with, the roles he’s had. He’s been a defensive coordinator in the SEC. He’s worked in personnel at Alabama under Nick Saban back when that program was really taking off. He brings a ton of experience.”
Collins, who has nearly three decades of coaching experience, most recently served as the head coach at Georgia Tech from 2019–2022. Before that, he led Temple from 2017–2018. His hire brings the number of former head coaches on South Carolina’s staff to four — joining Shawn Elliott, Mike Shula, and Mike Furrey.
“Anytime you can have multiple former head coaches on your staff, that’s a huge asset,” Beamer emphasized.
One of the key reasons Collins was such an appealing hire was his deep-rooted connections with South Carolina’s current coaching staff. He’s worked alongside several of them at different points in his career.
“He and Clayton White were together at Western Carolina. At Florida, Torrian Gray was his defensive backs coach. At Georgia Tech, Trey Money was on his staff and Derrick Moore worked with him there too. George Wynn and he were both at Florida,” Beamer noted. “There are a lot of people here who know Geoff and have worked with him.”
Beamer himself has a longstanding relationship with Collins. The two began their coaching careers together in 2000 at Georgia Tech, where they shared an office as graduate assistants.
“This was back before staffs had all these analysts and quality control guys,” Beamer recalled. “It was just the two GAs — me and Geoff — sharing an office. We built a good relationship then and have kept in touch over the years.”
Collins brings even more value with his extensive background coordinating defenses. He spent 12 years as a defensive coordinator, including stints at Mississippi State and Florida between 2011 and 2016. He also served as director of player personnel at Alabama in 2007, Saban’s first year.
Beamer believes Collins’ defensive mind will be a boost to an already experienced staff.
“When you add another guy who’s coordinated defenses before, he brings new ideas to the room,” Beamer said. “He can help Clayton and the rest of the staff. As a former head coach, he also offers ideas to me — from a leadership and recruiting standpoint. He’s been around some really great coaches and programs.”
As for Collins’ specific responsibilities, Beamer said the role of senior defensive assistant will evolve with time — especially as preseason camp begins.
“He literally just got to Columbia this afternoon and is already at work,” Beamer said. “There are both personal and professional reasons he wanted to be here, and we’re thrilled to have him on board.”
