Expectations were high in Columbia heading into the 2025 season. South Carolina’s win total was set at 7.5 by oddsmakers, but inside the program, the belief was that this team could push for more. Instead, the Gamecocks stumbled to a 4-8 finish, a disappointing step back in what was supposed to be a pivotal fifth year under Shane Beamer.
Now that the dust has settled, the question looms: what went wrong?
The answer, in short, is plenty. But if you’re looking for the root of the Gamecocks’ struggles, most of the arrows point to one side of the ball - the offense.
And that’s no secret. Beamer himself saw the writing on the wall and started making moves to address it before the season even officially wrapped.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t about one play, one player, or even one coach. But it’s impossible to ignore the impact of last December’s decision to hand the keys to the offense to Mike Shula. The veteran coach stepped in as South Carolina’s full-time offensive coordinator, and the results were, frankly, rough.
We won’t dive into every stat line - but we don’t need to. The offense consistently ranked near the bottom not just in the SEC, but nationally.
It was a unit that couldn’t find rhythm, couldn’t protect the quarterback, and couldn’t sustain drives when it mattered most. Whether it was the road losses at Missouri and LSU, the gut-punch at Texas A&M, or the rivalry defeat to Clemson to close the year, the offense was often the common denominator in close-but-not-close-enough games.
This wasn’t just a case of growing pains or a young roster learning on the fly. South Carolina had opportunities.
The defense had its moments. Special teams, a Beamer hallmark, made plays.
But the offense couldn’t keep up, and in today’s SEC, if you can’t move the ball or put up points, you’re not going to survive - let alone compete.
Beamer’s decision to make changes before the season ended signals he knows the urgency. Year 5 was supposed to be a step forward. Instead, it raised more questions about the program’s trajectory and the long-term vision on offense.
There’s still belief around Shane Beamer - and for good reason. He’s recruited well, built strong relationships, and energized the fan base.
But heading into Year 6, the margin for error is shrinking. The next offensive hire has to hit.
The Gamecocks can’t afford another season where the offense holds them back.
Fixing it won’t be simple. But if South Carolina wants to get back to competing in the SEC East, it starts with finding an identity on offense - and fast.