Columbia, S.C. (SC SID)–The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees has approved a contract extension for head football coach Shane Beamer that will go through the 2030 season, it was announced today. “The culture and commitment to excellence that Coach Beamer has built in our football program shows that we are headed in the right direction and on a strong upward trajectory,” said Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati. “Coach Beamer has made clear his desire to be at the University of South Carolina and this extension shows our collective support for him as the leader of our football program.” Beamer, who owns a 29-22 record, has won more games through his first four seasons at Carolina than any other coach, one more than Steve Spurrier, the school’s all-time winningest coach. During his tenure he has posted victories over three coaches who have won national championships – Jimbo Fisher, Dabo Swinney and Mack Brown, and has taken the Gamecocks to three bowl games in four seasons. Beamer’s 2024 squad was his most successful to date. The Gamecocks finished the season with a 9-4 record including a 5-3 mark in the SEC, posting nine wins in a season for just the eighth time in school history. The Gamecocks recorded a school-record four wins against ranked opponents, including three in consecutive weeks as part of a regular season-ending six-game winning streak. Carolina finished the season ranked 19th in both the final Associated Press and Coaches polls, its highest ranking since 2013 and its second top-25 ranking in the past three seasons. Beamer was the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Week for the third time in his career following the Gamecocks’ upset win over Texas A&M and earned SEC Coach of the Year accolades from the AP, USA TODAY and College Football Nation. He was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson, the Bobby Dodd, and the Bear Bryant National Coach of the Year honors and was a semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year. Individually, edge rusher Kyle Kennard was the school’s first Bronko Nagurski Award winner as the nation’s top defensive player and was the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year. Kennard, along with safety Nick Emmanwori, earned first-team All-America honors, while punter Kai Kroeger was a second-team selection. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers was selected as the SEC’s Freshman of the Year. Sellers, offensive tackle Josiah Thompson and Edge rusher Dylan Stewart earned Freshman All-America honors, giving the Gamecocks six All-Americans as selected by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the most of any FBS school in 2024. “I’m proud to represent the University of South Carolina and to lead our football program as the head coach,” said Beamer. “Thank you to President Amirides, Thad Westbrook and the Board of Trustees, Ray Tanner and Jeremiah Donati for their trust and support. As I’ve said before, this is my dream job,” added Beamer. “My family and I love being here. We’ve accomplished a lot on and off the field over the past four years, but we’re not satisfied. There’s more to do and we’re just getting started.” The Gamecocks, who will be led by Sellers, an early Heisman Trophy candidate, figure to be a preseason top-25 team heading into the 2025 season. They will open the 2025 slate in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Virginia Tech on Sunday, August 31. Categories: Local News, Local Sports, News, South Carolina Sports, Sports, USC Gamecocks