Shane Beamer Looks Ahead To 2023 Season At SEC Media Days
Gamecocks Head Coach Shane Beamer made his third consecutive appearance at the main podium of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Media Days, reflecting on the state of the team and its future prospects. His enthusiasm was high as always, solidifying his stance that the SEC is the premier conference in the nation.
His speech revolved around his players, with high praise for those he'd brought to the event, describing them as "unbelievable ambassadors" for the program. His confidence in Spencer Rattler, whom he's known since his Oklahoma days, was obvious, as were his high expectations of Tonka Hemingway, an "unbelievable, unselfish player," and Kai Kroeger, who called "the best punter in the nation" last season.
Though optimistic, Beamer didn't shy away from acknowledging the need for improvement, stating that the Gamecocks' 2023 team has a higher ceiling than the eight wins last season. His frank admission of the challenges posed by the team's youth also underlined the importance of maturation in the upcoming season. The Gamecocks' readiness to field true freshmen at every position signifies a fresh start for the team.
Addressing specific areas for improvement, Beamer noted the need for consistency on offense and capitalizing on turnovers on defense. He also expressed concerns over the team's recent record with interceptions and fumbles, leading the SEC in offensive turnovers the last two seasons, garnering a strong off-season focus on reducing such errors.
Away from the gridiron, Beamer praised the academic progress of the team, stating that 21 players will be graduates by the season's kickoff and that eight players boasted 4.0 GPAs last spring. He mentioned that the overall GPA last season was the highest in school history.
Beamer’s tribute to the new defensive line coach, Travian Robertson, a former highly recruited player out of North Carolina, was interpreted as a nudge to potential recruits from that state. "He was a highly-recruited guy out of the state of North Carolina. We need more guys in that state to follow his lead.." Perhaps this could be interpreted as a not-so-subtle nod to state of NC WR Jonathan Paylor, who is set to announce on August 5th.
Beamer expressed satisfaction with the culture of the program, which he asserted has never been stronger since his appointment in 2020. His assertion was supported by a notable increase in season ticket sales, which Beamer claimed were up "106 percent."
A confident Beamer suggested that the "best days of South Carolina football are still in front of us," a sentiment that resonates with the progress the team has made under his leadership.
Reflecting on his coaching journey, Beamer shared that his experience as a special teams coordinator prepared him well for his role as head coach, as it required him to communicate with the entire team.
He also had words of high praise for new OC Dowell Loggains, a long-time acquaintance. Beamer commended Loggains' versatility and adaptability, even as he transitioned from the NFL, saying he's "been even better than I thought he would be."
Finally, Beamer addressed the versatility of player Dakereon Joyner, who was with him at last year's Media Days. Beamer expects Joyner, who has embraced the role of a running back, to be a significant contributor to the team's offense this season.
Overall, Beamer's appearance at the SEC Media Days has painted a picture of a team under transformation, ready to exceed past performances and achieve new milestones. The blend of youth and experience, coupled with a dedicated coaching staff and an energetic head coach, signals an exciting season ahead for South Carolina football.
We'll have plenty more specifics from untelevised interviews, player availability, and more. If you haven't joined Gamecock Scoop premium, there's never been a better time to get locked in before the 2023 season.