South Carolina’s 2025 Collapse Sets the Stage for a Defining Year in 2026
Shane Beamer’s postgame press conference after South Carolina’s season-ending loss to Clemson wasn’t just about wrapping up a 4-8 campaign. It was a full-throated promise - a “one-billion percent” guarantee - that better days are coming.
“I’m a million-percent confident,” Beamer said, looking ahead to 2026. “We’re gonna look back on this season and say, ‘It sucked going through it, but it led us to what we just did in ‘26.’”
That’s a bold statement coming off a year like this one - a season that started with legitimate College Football Playoff hopes and ended without even a bowl invite. But if you’ve followed Beamer’s tenure in Columbia, you know he doesn’t do quiet exits. And after a season defined by fourth-quarter collapses, inconsistent quarterback play, and staff turnover, he’s betting big on a turnaround.
What Went Wrong in 2025
Let’s be clear: the 2025 Gamecocks weren’t getting blown out every week. In fact, they were in a lot of games - until they weren’t.
South Carolina led Missouri, Alabama, and Texas A&M in the fourth quarter. They lost all three, including a brutal 27-point swing against the Aggies.
They were within one score entering the final period against LSU, Ole Miss, and Clemson. Again, all losses.
The Gamecocks only outscored two opponents in the fourth quarter all season - Virginia Tech and Kentucky. That’s it. In a sport where finishing matters more than ever, South Carolina simply couldn’t close.
Compare that to the 2024 squad, which finished 9-4 and flirted with a playoff spot. That team thrived late in games.
This one folded. Whether that’s about talent, leadership, coaching, or all of the above is a conversation Beamer and his staff are already having.
Sellers, Shula, and a Season Without a Hero
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers came into the year with Heisman buzz. He didn’t deliver. Whether it was regression, scheme fit, or protection issues (likely all three), Sellers struggled to carry the offense.
Offensive coordinator Mike Shula, whom Beamer promoted in the offseason, didn’t make it through the year. He was fired midseason, and the offense never found its rhythm.
And when South Carolina needed someone - anyone - to step up in a big moment, no one did. In 2024, they had game-changers.
In 2025, they had decent players. There’s a big difference.
The Road to 2026 Starts Now
Beamer isn’t sugarcoating the work ahead. He’s already talking about “making the moves” - not just in terms of staff hires, but in adjusting the program’s overall approach.
It starts with roster retention. Sellers is still the guy, but keeping elite talents like edge Dylan Stewart and receiver Nyck Harbor is critical.
Exit meetings begin this week, and so does the December signing period. South Carolina has 14 commitments locked in, and while it’s not a massive class, Beamer believes the quality is there.
“If you look at the average-star rating or whatever it is,” he said, “we’ve got a Top-10 class.”
That’s a nice foundation, but the real pressure lies in the coordinator search. Beamer has to hit a home run with his next offensive coordinator - someone who can not only develop quarterbacks but also scheme creatively enough to put points on the board against SEC defenses. That’s a tall order, but it’s non-negotiable.
There’s also the offensive line coach vacancy. Tight ends coach Shawn Elliott has been filling in since Lonnie Teasley was let go, but if Elliott moves to OL full-time, that opens another spot on staff.
Beamer may not stop there. After a 4-8 season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more changes.
Transfer Portal: A Make-or-Break Window
Once the dust settles on recruiting and staffing, the transfer portal opens on January 2. South Carolina doesn’t need a complete overhaul, but it does need difference-makers - five to eight starters, ideally.
The 2024 team nailed the portal. Guys like edge rusher Kyle Kennard, linebacker Demetrius Knight, running back Rocket Sanders, and offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins weren’t just solid - they were all-conference caliber. That kind of impact is what turned a 5-7 team into a 9-4 contender.
This year? The transfer class was fine.
But there were no game-changers. And in the SEC, “fine” doesn’t cut it.
Can Beamer Pull It Off Again?
That’s the question. Two years ago, South Carolina was in a similar spot - coming off a disappointing 5-7 season, needing to replace stars like Spencer Rattler and Xavier Legette, and facing serious questions on defense. Beamer answered the call.
Now, he’s trying to do it again. The margins are thin, the expectations are high, and the leash is likely shorter than ever.
But if Beamer can retain his core, land a few key transfers, and make the right hires, 2026 could be the bounce-back he’s promising. And if not, well - the “hot seat” chatter won’t just be offseason noise.
For now, the message from Columbia is clear: full speed ahead.